Waterloo Region celebrates refugees one year later

The federal government made a commitment to bring over 25,000 refugees to our country by February 2016. Waterloo Region is one of the communities who welcomed nearly 1,800 of them a year later.

On Saturday, the region celebrated with an event hosted by Immigration Partnership at Kitchener City Hall.

“This has been a really amazing year, and Waterloo Region has always been a community that welcomed refugees, and I think in the last year and a half we’ve really shown that the community really embraces the welcoming of refugees,” says Immigration Partnership Director, Tara Bedard.

Crowds gathered to hear thank you’s from the refugees.

“Thanks for Canada, thanks for Canadian community, thanks for everything, and for everywhere and for everyone, thank you Canada,” says Mohammad Almasalmah

Mohammad and his family came to Canada from Jordan, and are currently working on opening their own small business.

“We are not coming to Canada to sit, we are coming to work, to keep Canada building with you, hand in hand, step by step,” expressed Almasalmah.

However, in the spirit of community, it wasn’t a day of one-sided appreciation.

“Certainly we impact their lives as they move to Canada, but what’s really impressive is how much it’s impacted the lives of existing Canadians and the people of Waterloo Region,” explains Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky.

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