Afghan refugees, including many in Red Deer, to celebrate first Canada Day

Iqbal’s family arrived here with the initial wave last August.

Many others have settled in more than 90 communities across the country, including Red Deer. They come from a country where, according to the Government of Canada, the Taliban has taken over and replaced a duly elected and democratic government.

The federal government says it has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government, and last August suspended its diplomatic operations in Kabul.

Sharon Yeo with Catholic Social Services says that between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, 30 government-assisted Afghan refugees resettled in Red Deer. Since April 1 of this year, another 80 Afghan refugees have arrived. In those same two timeframes, a combined 180 refugees from other countries such as Syria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and Pakistan have also arrived in Red Deer.

“As our resettlement services are based in Red Deer, we typically assist refugee families to initially settle in the city of Red Deer so we can more seamlessly support them as they work through their integration journey,” says Yeo. “While we don’t yet have confirmation of how many more government-assisted refugees Red Deer will receive for the remainder of the year, it is likely that Red Deer will welcome more families this year, including those originally from Afghanistan.”

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, commented on the occasion and what it might mean for newcomers.

“As we come together on Canada Day, let us celebrate our beautiful, welcoming country and highlight the richness of its cultural diversity from coast to coast to coast. Our strong, shared commitment in helping the world’s most vulnerable has allowed us to become a global leader in refugee resettlement,” says Fraser.

“I am proud that so many Afghan refugees have been welcomed with open arms in communities across the country and can now call Canada home. We will continue to work hard to resettle Afghan refugees and ensure they are able find safe haven.”

According to a release, refugees who are resettled become permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. This allows them to live, work or study anywhere in Canada and obtain protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Canada plans to resettle at least 40,000 total Afghan refugees, it’s said, as quickly as possible.

Canada Day celebrations across central Alberta communities

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Afghan refugees, including many in Red Deer, to celebrate first Canada Day

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