Civic politicians recently received an update regarding refugee families living in Delta, along with projected numbers anticipated to arrive in B.C. this year.
According to the Delta report, between Nov. 4, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016, 105 Syrian refugees were settled in Delta. During that same time, newcomers also arrived from Iraq, Congo, Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan.
From their arrival at the Immigrant Services Society of BC Welcome Centre in Vancouver, newcomers to B.C. are settled into homes with the support of many immigrant service agencies. After six months, families may choose elsewhere in Canada.
The immigrant target for B.C. for 2017 is 900 individuals, 720 of which are destined for Metro Vancouver.
“Staff will continue to work with all of these organizations to ensure our current families have the supports that they need and that the supports are in place for future refugees,” said director of corporate services Sean McGill.
Along with that update, Delta council has written letters of support directed at three provincial ministries affirming six recommendations made by the Immigrant Service Society of BC research group.
According to the report, the Immigrant Service Society of BC conducted a review pertaining to Syrian refugees after their first year in B.C. and the status of services available to them.
The six recommendations that came out of that review aim to assist current refugees integrate better into their new Canadian homes and will hopefully make the path for future refugees easier when they enter Canada.
The recommendations include adjusting current regulations to allow all B.C. Income Assistance recipients to earn up to 50 per cent of their monthly allowance without claw back and expediting the issuance of personal health numbers for newly arrived refugees.
