Lesson 8 — Activity 2: Learning to Live in a New Country
Completion requirements
Lesson 8 — Activity 2: Learning to Live in a New Country
Warm Up
Many people from other cultures now call Canada home. Some people come to Canada as immigrants; some come as refugees.
However people come to Canada, everyone is looking for a good quality of life.
Refugees are people who have fled their home countries because of fear of persecution, and are therefore unable to return home. Many refugees come from war-torn countries. A refugee is different from an immigrant. An immigrant is a person who chooses to settle permanently in another country. Refugees are forced to flee their homeland.
Here is one example of Canada's role in helping bring newcomers to Canada.
In 2015, the Canadian government under Justin Trudeau, pledged to bring 25,000 refugees from Syria to Canada. As of March 1, 2016, 26,176 people from Syria have arrived in Canada.
What Justin Trudeau Has Said ...
"I think this is the story of this country, that you get to come here and build a better future for yourself than you could have anywhere else in the world."
Courtesy of foter
Digging Deeper!
Click here for more information on Canada's response to humanitarian crises. You may click on the link to find out about the conflict in Syria.
Differences of Opinion
There were some people in Canada who felt concerned about the government's plan to admit refugees from Syria. The major concern among those who opposed the refugee plan was security and the fear that appropriate security checks would be limited in order to hit Prime Minister Trudeau’s timeline of admitting 25,000 refugees by the end of 2015.
"There’s a sense that the speed with which this is taking place will be at the expense of the security of Canadians," said Darrell Bricker, president of Ipsos, a company which conducts polls. "There is a serious concern that there are potential terrorists posing as refugees."
Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said the Liberal government would be mindful when screening refugee applicants, with security considerations being a priority.
"We have always stated that security and health will be at the forefront. I want to remind people that when it comes to refugees they are fleeing war. And we will do this in a manner that takes Canadian security as a top priority and will be done in a responsible manner."
As well as opportunities, there are many challenges for newcomers to Canada.
here will be language and cultural differences. There will be employment and housing to find. There may be a sense of isolation felt as many may be missing the support of friends, family, and extended social circles. Many supports, such as social services and community groups, are required to allow newcomers to begin making a new life, while retaining their cultural identities and avoiding both assimilation and marginalization.
Click on the Play Button to watch a video of how some young people adjusted to their new life in Canada.
Self-check!
Try This!
Decide if the two statements below about newcomers coming to Canada are true or false, then answer the last question.
1. Justin Trudeau's government wanted to bring 10,000 refugees from Syria.
2. The major concern about admitting Syrian refugees to Canada was that there was not enough housing available for them.
3. List three challenges newcomers to Canada may face.
1. False. Trudeau's government pledged to bring in 25,000 refugees.
2. False. The major concern among those who opposed the refugee plan was security.
3. Challenges may include:
- language and cultural differences
- finding employment and housing
- a sense of isolation
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