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.
