WATCH ABOVE: Quebec is asking the federal government to help the province take in more Syrian refugees – and to bring them over quickly. Felicia Parrillo reports.
MONTREAL – Raeda Naami is standing proudly by her father.
On January 23, 1971 Ghazi Naami immigrated from Baghdad, Iraq to Montreal.
In 1989, he created an initiative to help bring refugees to Quebec.
From Iraqis to Syrians, Naami has helped thousands of people cross the border to a better life.
“I thank God everyday that he brought us here, gave us that opportunity and gave the chance and the opportunity for others to come,” said Raeda Naami.
“It’s very sad what we see, what’s happening.”
Now, Quebec is asking the federal government to help the province take in more Syrian refugees and to bring them over quickly.
“The objective we’ve given ourselves for this year is to have 2,450 more Syrians than were in our original objectives,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil.
That means a total of 3,650 refugees in 2015.
Weil said 1,800 Syrians would be welcomes through collective sponsorship, while 650 will be government-sponsored.
“We all felt this was a very important mission that we had – to save lives,” said Weil.
“To give a better life to these parents, children, teenagers and give them great prospects and a great future.”
The effort is expected to cost $29 million, most of which would go towards services including job aid and language training.
But the plan depends on the collaboration of the federal government.
Quebec will streamline the process for sponsoring refugees and they are asking Ottawa to help speed up the process.
Despite the announcement, some insisted there are still issues that need to be addressed.
“We have 2,300 refugees out of 12 million that have been displaced,” said Faisal Alazem, Montreal Director of the Syrian Canadian Council.
“You start understanding why people start taking boats and so much risks. We’ve made it so hard for them to get here into protection or to Europe.”
However, Alazem said they are optimistic more change will come.
“We feel that Canadians are taking the fronts, it’s no longer Syrians, or Canadians of Syrian origin that are knocking the doors of Parliament,” he told Global News.
“It’s Canadians that are taking the lead and are finally on board.”
Quebec has taken in 651 refugees since the beginning of 2015.
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