A Labour of Love

Amina and her 3 boys

Amina and her three boys, Abdulahi, 13, Abdihakin, 12, and Abdihamid, 8, arrived in Canada, October 20, 2017.  For the first couple of days they lived with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamilton before moving into a 2 bedroom apartment. In a Zoom interview with the family I learned a little about their adjustments to Canada.

Q. Where did you live before coming to Canada?

We lived in Camp Kakuma, in Kenya with thousands of other refugees in tents and we went to school in the Camp. (Camp Kakuma is considered one of the largest refugee camps in the world according to statistics published in 2019)

Q. What do you miss most about Kakuma?

All three boys said emphatically, we miss our friends!  We used to play a lot of tag, hide and seek, and soccer.  After we finish our education we will go back to Kenya for a visit to reconnect with our friends.

Q. What do you like about your home in Canada?

All agreed it is so comfortable here. In Kakuma we didn’t have so much stuff.  We had to walk to get water.

Q. Have you played hockey yet?

I love hockey but I find it hard to control the stick, said Abdulahi.  Basketball was the most popular sport with all three boys’ because we can play it at the park with our friends. Abdihakin spoke most enthusiastically about sports. He is involved with track and field and a Checkers Club.  He has travelled on tournaments. Snow is especially fun for Abdihamid as he likes to go sledding.  All three liked snow ball fights. We have many friends who live in this neighbourhood. Drawing is a passion for Abdulahi. 

Authentic Canadian Poutine

Q. What is your favorite Canadian food? Poutine was the loud answer. Abdihamid immediately added pancakes with syrup, and burgers.  “It is all nice food.”

Q. Are you looking forward to Christmas and the holidays? The family is Muslim and celebrates Eid, so Christmas is not too familiar to them. However, Amina said that the boys are open to presents just the same.

I asked Amina, What do you find most difficult living in Canada? To which she warmly replied, “I don’t find anything difficult because of you people.  All you people on the Refugee Committee are so wonderful.  You reached out in help each time I or the children needed help. You are our friends in this new country.”

Amina is referring to the Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Committee that has been supporting refugees seeking asylum in Canada for many years.

Assisting refugees is a labour of love and demanding, but the joy and determination that each of our families has shown makes the work so fulfilling. It also makes us very aware of how fortunate we are to live in Canada – COVID or not.

-Sister Ann Marshall, csj

Sisters of St. Joseph Support the “Global Compact for Migration”

Migration is Complex, Multidimensional and Worthy of Good Public Dialogue

There are tensions in Canada when it comes to migration:  Some Canadians put out signs saying “All are Welcome Here” while others complain about irregular border crossings; some groups sponsor refugee families while others point to a lack of services to address the needs of newcomers; some delight in new and different food choices while others experience discomfort with difference.

There’s room for all these perspectives in a healthy and respectful national dialogue about migration. 

But there’s no room for the fear-mongering and downright silliness which too often has become part of this conversation.  A case in point: Toronto Sun columnist Candice Malcolm referred to the UN’s Global Compact for Migration as a “dystopian UN plan” which “seeks to erase borders, destroy the concept of citizenship, undermine the rule of law and circumvent state sovereignty.”  Worse yet, Andrew Scheer, in a position of responsibility as leader of the Opposition in Canada, suggested the Global Compact could “open the door to foreign bureaucrats telling Canada how to manage our borders.”  Wrong and wrong – on both counts.  Not even close to reality.

What is the Global Compact for Migration?

It’s a 36-page document, developed at the UN level, which lays out a collaborative approach to dealing with global migration.  The Global Compact sets out 23 objectives for responding to migrants in ways which respect their dignity and rights while also creating benefits for the country of destination.

Is it legally binding on countries which sign it?

No, the Global Compact is not legally binding on the nations which sign it.  It is non-enforceable.  Indeed,  The Global Compact  explicitly affirms the sovereign right of states to set their own national migration policies, in conformity to international law.

It’s more of a toolbox to help countries foster inclusive and cohesive societies, integrating migrants so they will enrich their host country and addressing “structural factors that hinder people from building and maintaining sustainable livelihoods in their countries of origin.”

What else is in the Global Compact?

The global compact's 23 objectives include:

• Collecting and utilizing accurate data to develop evidence-based policies.
• Minimizing the factors that drive people from their country of origin.
• Facilitating fair and ethical recruitment of migrant workers and promoting decent work conditions.
• Strengthening the response to migrant smuggling and stopping the trafficking of persons. 
• Providing access to basic services for migrants. 
• Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote evidence-based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration.

The Global Compact is the basis for treating all people with dignity and fairness; it encourages countries collectively to address factors which push people away from their country of origin; it’s a foundation for a healthy and helpful public dialogue – some of the many reasons the Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada support the Global Compact for Migration. 

 - Sue Wilson, CSJ | Office for Systemic Justice