Firstly, let me state I am 110 per cent behind being a giving, kindhearted and charitable person, and I feel so terrible these Syrian refugees have gone through this civil war in their homeland. But why does this mean they come here and receive more money per month than people (our Canadian citizens) on the welfare system receive?
Actually, more money than those on even disability receive per month.... And considering I have been seeing many ads from local families desperately seeking housing, I am also confused as to the housing which is now being provided to refugees, which could have gone to helping out our own.
We, as in Salmon Arm, have a homeless population, which I do not understand why the churches in this area have no interest in helping out. Because I truly do not understand how we can put our own people second to the refugees.
Should they not receive the allotted $610 per month our welfare system gives our Canadian citizens? And should they not have to stay in shelters like our Canadian citizens, eat from food banks like our Canadian citizens and seek a place to rent on far too little like our Canadian citizens?
I guess we are simply second-class citizens in our own country.
It’s a shame t the churches who have worked so hard to bring these families to Salmon Arm couldn’t be bothered to work near as hard to help out the many families in our community who are in need of food, housing, clothing and, as much as any of the refugees, the basic necessities in life. Just my opinion.
Rachael Mackay.