Syrian refugees won’t let pepper spray attack spoil first impressions of Canada
Posted January 10, 2016 7:29 pm.
Last Updated January 11, 2016 9:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Hundreds of people were on hand to welcome about 50 privately-sponsored Syrian refugees to Canada Sunday.
Armenian Christmas fell on January 6 this year, but St. Gregory Armenian Church in Richmond decided to delay it to allow more people to attend. The church has brought 15 Syrian families to Canada and is trying to help another 15 or 16 get here.
Organizers say some of the Syrians they’ve helped sponsor have an Armenian background, and as such recognize the Orthodox holiday.
Asved Cholakian, his wife Mania and their two sons have been in Canada since December 31. They spent three years in Lebanon after fleeing Syria because of violence. He says he loves Canada so far and all the people who have helped welcome him.
“Our impression is that it’s a very beautiful country, it has beautiful nature and the people are very kind and friendly.”
Cholakian doesn’t believe a pepper spray attack against a group of Syrian refugees in Vancouver on Friday is indicative of how Canadians feel about Syrian refugees.
“I don’t think that person represents Canada. It’s an individual act, I guess. Maybe he has a background or some bad impressions about Syrians. I think it is an individual attitude that doesn’t represent Canada.”
The family is now living in a donated suite above a garage. They’re hoping to enrol their boys in school soon.
Several politicians were at the event, including Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan as well as MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of BC, Linda Reid.
Vic Andonian is the Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (Western Region) and says the new arrivals are adapting well so far.
“They are very grateful and we are already taking them to job interviews. We’re already helping them to start to take some driving tests, so they want to start their new lives.”
The church’s Eddie Papazian says there have been several challenges so far, like finding accommodations in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. He’s asking for donations, including furniture and household items. He says the sponsorship process has taken longer than originally anticipated but it’s worth it.
If you’d like to make a donation you can visit the St. Gregory Armenian Church website or www.syriahelp.ca
