The Sault Community Career Centre is preparing to welcome a number of refugees to Sault Ste Marie. But, to do so they need the community’s help. They are looking for volunteers and donations to make the transition easier for the families that arrive in the city.
Brenda Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator at the Sault Community Career Centre, visited the ONNTV studios to talk with Lou Anne Young about welcoming these families into our community.
Read more here.
Some information that might clarify some things for people who are not aware of the facts:
1. Not all the newcomers you see in the city are refugees. Most are either international students who receive NO financial help from the government or immigrants who had to pay to get here and who support themselves. 2. We have 28 refugee families in Sault Ste. Marie (less than 200 people, most of whom are children). The population is approx. 70,000 people If you do the math, you see that refugees make up LESS THAN ONE THIRD OF ONE PERCENT of our population.
3. I check the job postings every day and there are jobs. Some require more education than others and some are not well paid, BUT there ARE jobs. Many employers are finding it difficult to find people to fill jobs.
4. I have lived in this city for 10 years and keep hearing about our shrinking population, businesses struggling, schools with declining enrolment. Newcomers are adding to our schools’ enrolment, buying food and clothing for their families. That is a good thing.
This is not a fact; it is my heartfelt opinion. My life has been much richer since I met many of our refugee newcomers. Their commitment to family and community and their gratitude for freedom and safety is overwhelming.
Only the ignorant speak against refugees. They have not taken the time to seek education and facts that prove their hateful thoughts and opinions as completely wrong. They have not seen the facts proving that refugees and/or immigrants give back more than is used to save them. Nor do these hateful few realise some of the money used is a loan and will be paid back. They also don’t realize that these immigrants, these people, create jobs and use governmental assistance less than those born to Canada.
And lastly, ignorance and hate only creates more hate. So please check your facts on refugees. They are human beings. They are mostly children. And they will give back more than they need.
Why are so many assuming that refugees aren’t getting into the country legally? They’re getting into the country legally…Very few who apply actually get in. Quit typing and read a book
Honestly this town can’t even afford to employ it’s own..we don’t really need more people, there’s tons of other places to go besides the soo..
No no no!! I’m the working poor!! Like most Canadians. Trudeau selling our sovereignty down the bloody river!! Man people are soooooo stupid! And then I read oh so many hateful comments!! This has nothing to with racism and everything to do with trying to make it in this world without foreigners coming here and soaking up all the funds!! Bring on the stupid replies now!!
Allowing everybody to come in illegally, is unsustainable, we cannot afford to let everyone in, call me racist if you want, but i am just a taxpayer fed up with my tax paying dollars being given out like candy, when me and my husband both work full time just to manage to keep what we have, which isnt much but we worked hard for it. By the way merry christmas not happy holidays, we shouldnt change to accomodate others
Welcome to Sault Ste. Marie! I’m so glad they’re able to come here and take refuge in a safe place.
If it was a handful you are talking about helping ok. But there is thousands. What we should let them all come to our country because soft hearts think it is the right thing. Well there is more people living in Canada that have a right to our opinions on such matters, then just you few. Just because we don’t want them here, doesn’t make us racist or anything, just people who have an opinion.
have nice day be kind to strangers
I like that: “being born in Canada is like winning the lottery” – it’s true – equal rights, humanitarian laws, clean water, labour laws and insurance, a plethora of resources, separation of church and state, no active war zones… We’re far from perfect but we have enough to share with fellow humans. Helping those in need doesn’t take from others in need, people give what they can, and it enriches everyone and our community for it. To hate the needy – families and children escaping a brutal war – simply for being needy is shallow and desperate and I pity those that muster that amount of hate in their heart.
Well said Lee. It makes me sad all these comments that seem to think it’s “us” or “them”? It’s just ignorance and hate.
Ryan Vosper ummm are any of you paying attention?? If Trudeau gets his way we will be living under sharia law!! No thank you!!! Wow!! This is NOT about hate. It’s about what must be done!! If this crap continues I’ll move to the US!!
Lorraine Rae Anne I agree…….soon Canada will be turned into the same thing we helped them leave
Lorraine Rae Anne How does helping a family mean Sharia law? Holy crap, what kool aid are you drinking. Have you ever met a minority before? There is nothing to fear here. They are talking about helping some families with children that’s it.
Ryan Vosper lmao.. please catch up!!
Ryan Vosper I guess I forgot that helping families that survived war zones means empowering extremist Islamist minorities to overthrow our government… dang it was so obvious and I missed it… While were at it, I guess I should confess that the coffee I gave to a homeless man will likely be used as a bomb in a deadly terrorist attack at Tim Hortons’ across Canada…. if only I knew and was caught up!
Well said, Lee Rendell!
i do and have a good day ashley
Saddened to see these hateful comments. Our plight is not the fault of those seeking Asylum. It is at the hands of every white elitist politician that squanders billions of our tax dollars every year.
We have more than enough money, and resources to support everyone.
Lay blame where blame belongs, not the poor people seeking refuge. Stop electing asshats and start electing people who represent the good in society.
Amanda Holmes Some of these posts have been reported to Facebook and posters may hear how their account might be affected.
Agreed!
let frank know that …have a good day …and yes my grampa sponsored many to come here …snowflake must have set me off …btw im half italian so dont go there
Funny how people shoot their mouths off against people who care about their city and want to help our own first then of course help others… who we chose to help is our business, and not you telling us who we have to help! You have no idea what people give too or not! Take them into your home, do not try and force refugees on others!
There are too many keyboard warriors expounding their perverted views about these ‘migrants and refugees’ Who ends up losing in the long run, all of us who pay taxes to support these people who do not want to work, do not want to assimilate yet stand there with their hands out demanding whatever they want. Keep this crap up and you will be living in a Venezuelan, Cuban, North Korean type of city.
Mailis Lewis lmao really … pretty sure they are not going to live in anyone’s house
Robyn Hunter ya really… you support them in their own house that they want us to pay for!
Mailis Lewis what a miserable person you are … we are all immigrants… please do all of your Xmas shopping online because no retail worker should have to put up with you
just saying everyone deserves a chance.theres bad people in all races …i just like to see GOOD people get ahead in life ..just saying..we all can help
Calling us white trash…you rasist. nice one… you take them into your home Jeffrey Roy!!!! No one is stopping you!… we have the right chose who we help!
oh, you’re one of the religious types. I see on your page you have the quote “1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” So I’ll hit you back with “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
— Romans 12:11-13”
Hahaha
White trash is in full force within this comment section
Jeffrey Roy White trash? you mean citizens concerned with what is being brought into their city.. lmao
Jade Agawa-Collins What is being brought into “our city”, please explain yourself in detail
Unbelievable the rude comments!
Arden Laird what a rude comment!
we will send them all to Lawrence’s house they can live with you
When I see comments like this I am embarrassed to be from the Sault. Selfish and hateful people are the loud ones.
It’s not just the sault . Lmao Trudeau cares more about other countries than he does his own. Smh.
Thank you Ashley !
Listen to yourself. What if you were the refugee? With Trump as a neighbour this may be us soon. These people have nothing and will die if not helped. We have services for people who dont have jobs or are on hard times or disability. You care about yourself more than someone’s life? I value someone’s life over your opinion.
What if I was the refugee . I wouldn’t use asylum seeking as an excuse to come here illegally, id do the work and put in the time to get here properly like my family did before me. Smh. I don’t really care if you don’t agree with my opinion. Freedom of speech works both way.
Sidenote* I don’t care more about myself. See what happens when you ASSume u know what something means. I infact care a great deal about immigration, so much so it’s part of what I studied in college. But I also know that there is a right way and wrong way to get into this country and it’s certainly not done the right way with Trudeau doing as he does. Have a great day.
Yup you learned hatred in college.
Mee Shie I value my Canada
We need a paradigm shift / culture change. We should value life over money.
No
Sure just ask everyone getting laid off at Tenaris
Yea we should help them they will need it the most with mortgages , and car payments …. omg ….. couldnt imagine !
We have lots of ppl in the Sault and surrounding areas that need help this time of year ! Let’s rally for them first ?
We do, there are fundraisers like crazy this time of year for all sorts of charity and needy and other causes local and not. This isn’t an either/or situation.
Ryan Vosper yes it is actually. If you don’t get that then you are not properly informed
Lorraine Rae Anne please provide factual links where we will he turning to sharia law?
Doesn’t the government give them enough. Wow . Charity begins at home.
Lol.. how about taking care of your own people before letting more in and telling those people to give to those when they are probably in need.
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