Many Syrian refugee are struggling to find employment and afford life in Canada, but advocates say they are gradually settling in and still happy they came.
A survey of 241 Syrian adults who arrived in British Columbia with government assistance found more than half depend on food banks at least once a week.
The survey, conducted by the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., says the full-time employment rate has doubled in the past year, but remains low at 27 per cent.
At the same time, 87 per cent say their English has improved and 97 per cent say their children are doing well in school.
Advocacy organizations across the country have reported similar challenges and successes for the nearly 52,000 Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada between October 2015 and February 2018.
Fariborz Birjandian, CEO of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, says given the massive life change that refugees are undergoing, full settlement and integration shouldn't be expected immediately.
