‘It’s very hard’: Syrian refugee business owner recounts journey to Canada

A Syrian refugee who started a life for himself in Nova Scotia six years ago wants Canadians to know refugees can be contributors to the country.

Muntadhr Naji lived with his family in Iraq until 2006.

“My father was teaching me, my grandfather was teaching me, so I was selling in the street when I was very young,” said Naji.

“It was dangerous. It was very dangerous at that time.”

So he and his family fled to Syria.

“They opened the door for us, the border,” said Naji. “You know, so you just go there. It was easy.”

Naji felt safe in Syria until 2009, when he and his family left to come to Canada.

“It's very hard,” he said. “I know it's very hard when you come to Canada, the language, to know the city.”

Naji now runs two businesses and works about 14 hours a day. He owns a bakery in Spryfield and a barber shop in Bedford.

“That was always my goal when I was young, to open a business,” said Naji.

Naji brought his wife to Nova Scotia two years ago. Their daughter just celebrated her first birthday.

He’s hoping the community will help welcome the newly-arriving Syrian refugees with open arms.

“There is a lot of young people, skilled people, educated people, so it's good for the country, too,” said Naji.

Naji believes the possibilities are endless for refugees arriving in Canada.

“When it's safe, you can do everything,” he said. “When it's safe, and the future is open.”

“I feel I'm in my home country. Canada now is my home country.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.