Syrian refugees prepare to lose federal government funding

Syrian refugees approach end of federal support Sarah Plowman looks into what month 13 looks like for Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada last November.

Mohamad Bakhash wants to work, but the Syrian father who arrived in Winnipeg with his family of seven last November is limited by language.

One year after his arrival, the former real estate agent is applying for provincial employment and income assistance because after 12 months, his federal financial support—with the exception of possible Canada Child Benefit—will end.

The province expects a majority of the government-assisted Syrian refugees who arrived in Manitoba since last November to do the same.

“Learning English is so important for me because it’s the bridge I will use to get a job, or to do the job right,” Bakhash said through an interpreter.

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Bakhash attends English classes every day for three hours.  He speaks level 2 English.

He believes work is important, and he should work to support his family, but he understands he doesn’t have the language skills or training to do so yet.

Boris Ntambwé, the coordinator of Refugee Assistance Program for Accueil francophone, said most people need to reach level 5 in English to get a job.

He knows of several Syrian clients who have found jobs in the restaurant industry, in farming, or mechanics, but he believes Syrians who fled war are facing a lot of challenges while transitioning into Canadian society and shouldn’t be expected to learn English in one year.

“For some people, it may take three years. For some people, it may take four years, depending on their education level,” Ntambwé said.

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According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, approximately 787 government-assisted Syrian refugees arrived in Manitoba between last November and the end of September.

Manitoba is currently transitioning Syrian refugees who aren’t yet self-sufficient onto provincial social assistance.  There are two Arabic-speaking case co-ordinators responsible for working with Syrian refugees enrolling on Employment Income Assistance. EIA orientation and information material have also been translated into Arabic.

Up until now, Bakhash and his family of seven have been surviving on federal money—about  $1,780 each month. His two adult sons receive an additional $600. The province is expected to come close to matching that amount in social assistance.

“It’s going to be a cost for the province and we’re aware of that. We’re trying to minimize the ongoing cost by getting them up to speed as quickly as we can,” said Ian Wishart, Manitoba’s Minister of Education and Training.

Wishart said the government was able to help Syrians with experience in farming find jobs. “We were able to get a few to help with the vegetable industry and they seem to be really good. They want to work. They have a really good work ethic. They just haven’t had a chance to work in a long time,” Wishart said.