The Toronto Star welcomed the first of Canada’s Syrian refugees to their city Thursday with a front-page editorial, giving the newcomers a quick dialect explainer and advice for surviving the Canadian winter.
“Welcome to Canada. Ahlan wa sahlan. You’re with family now,” the editorial opened. “And your presence among us makes our Christmas season of peace and joy just that much brighter.”
The editorial board of the Star, the country’s largest newspaper by circulation, wrote that the city was honored to accept the refugees. While the U.S. debates restricting refugees by both religion and number, Canada welcomed refugees with almost open arms. The government, under recently elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, plans to resettle 10,000 by the end of December and another 15,000 by February.
“It’s been a long trek, but you are no longer refugees,” the editorial said. “Your days of being strangers in a strange land are over. You are permanent residents of Canada now, with all the rights and protections and possibilities that confers.”
The editorial board also suggested getting boots, gloves and parkas because it will be cold, but also skis, sleds and ice skates to enjoy the cold.
Read the full thing here.
Sometimes my country says and does things that make me cringe. This is not one of them.
With the exception of those of us here in my country who are directly descended from the Aboriginal people of our nation, we were at one time all immigrants and refugees fleeing something, for the promise of something better.
As a proud Canadian with English, Scottish, French, German and Dutch grandparents - I say, welcome home. (and buy some gloves, you’ll likely need them at some point LOL)
I hope they keep the welcome mat out for us Americans who want to flee the Fascist States of Trumpiria, should it come to that.
This literally made me cry. This is how it should be at times like this in compassionate countries.
Shame on the evil, nativist and/or racist forces here in the US.
And THAT, America, is how a strong country, secure in it’s own laws and values, welcomes refugees. We used to be like them.