‘Canada benefits from families like yours,’ Justin Trudeau tells Afghan refugees in Hamilton

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Hamilton on Friday to satisfy among the households who’re among the many over 400 Afghan refugees who’ve resettled within the Ontario metropolis.

Trudeau and his son Xavier visited the Japanese Meals Market on Higher Wentworth Road, the place Hamilton Mountain MP Lisa Hepfner launched the prime minister to 2 households.

Trudeau met with Ahmad Najib Wahidi, his spouse Marghana and their 14-month-old daughter Harir.

Harir was born in Afghanistan and the household arrived in Canada in October.

Hepfner informed Trudeau they’d a “harrowing” journey from Afghanistan, and Wahidi stated he is grateful for the Canadian authorities.

Over 400 Afghan refugees in Hamilton 

The Taliban took management of Afghanistan final fall, prompting folks to attempt to depart the nation.

The federal authorities says on its website it has welcomed 12,605 Afghan refugees to Canada. Of the 415 in Hamilton, 335 are government-assisted refugees and 80 have been privately sponsored. The web site additionally says 4,590 different functions have been acquired.

Wesley City Ministries has helped resettle incoming households within the space. It informed CBC Hamilton in April that it had completely housed nearly all of the households that had arrived, with round 27 Afghan government-assisted refugees nonetheless in momentary lodging, and that resettlement was persevering with.

“We had a brand new Afghan household arrive this week,” the group stated on the time.

In the meantime, the immigration backlog to convey new folks to the nation is excessive.

Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the nation had a backlog of more than 1.8 million immigration applications as of Feb. 1.

Newer IRCC knowledge exhibits 110,661 refugee functions had been ready to be processed as of April 26.

Others who’ve already arrived, like Wahidi, hope to construct a brand new life. He informed Trudeau he has hopes of shopping for a house within the subsequent few years.

“Canada advantages a lot from households like yours coming and serving to construct stronger communities and futures,” Trudeau stated.

The prime minister additionally met Mirwaise Sadaat, his spouse Zuhal and their children Atresa, 8, Zoya, 6, and Haris, nearly 2.

Sadaat labored for World Affairs Canada in its embassy in Kabul.

He informed Trudeau he was “grateful” for the chance to assist.

Trudeau stated that with the Taliban taking on Afghanistan, Canada must contribute much more humanitarian help.

Hepfner informed Trudeau Sadaat has prolonged household in Afghanistan he hopes can come to Canada.

Trudeau stated the federal government is engaged on how to usher in extra folks, “and never simply because it is the proper factor to do, nevertheless it’s so good for Canada.”