Syrian refugees in N.S. could face uncertain future as federal dollars taper off

In the coming weeks and months, hundreds of government-sponsored Syrian refugees in Nova Scotia will lose their monthly living allowance provided by Ottawa.

December is the start of "Month 13," the name given to the transition period when federal funding winds down.

The federal government promised one year of financial support for the refugees it sponsored. That means the first wave of refugees to arrive in Canada a year ago will either have to support themselves or fall back on provincial social assistance.

The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) said 61 government-sponsored refugees arrived in the province last December. In January, around 391 more government-sponsored refugees came to Nova Scotia.

For privately-sponsored refugees, the sponsors agreed to bear their costs for the same 12-month period.

"There is a little bit of fear of Month 13, especially with their income being stopped and some of their benefits that they have, they don't have anymore," said Sam Jisiri, director of Syrian Active Volunteers. The non-governmental organization, based in Mississauga, Ont., was founded to help Syrian refugees while they transition to life in Canada.

Unclear how many refugees will seek provincial help

Joanne Bernard, Nova Scotia's minister of community services, said she can't predict how many Syrian refugees will require provincial income assistance in the coming months as their federal benefits expire.

She said the province is hiring an Arabic-speaking caseworker to help with the expected influx of inquiries.

"The Department of Community Services is always under strain for income assistance," she said. "It's people who come to us. There's no cap on it. If you qualify then you're approved," Bernard said.

The federal Liberal government set a target of resettling 25,000 government-assisted Syrian refugees by the end of this year. As of Nov. 13, the government had managed to take in 21,708 refugees.

Nova Scotia welcomed more than 1,000 Syrian refugees

Gerry Mills, executive director of ISANS, said approximately 1,000 federally assisted refugees have arrived so far in 2016, representing about 200 family groups. Syrian refugees continue to arrive, with groups expected to touch down in Nova Scotia today and Friday.

"We brought people in for protection. We brought people in to save their lives," she said. "But of course people want to start their lives and want to start to access employment."

She said between 30 and 40 families are now self-supporting through employment. Many Syrians have found jobs as automotive technicians, in construction, and in the food service industry.

• Syrian refugees fear what lies ahead as government-sponsored year runs out

A family of government-funded refugees receives a living allowance between $1,200 and $1,400 a month. Refugees can also can access an interim federal health program, which covers basic medical costs along with things like emergency dental work and therapy.

"This is two big things to take from people ... they will have to survive like any other Canadian," Jisiri told CBC's Information Morning.

Half of refugees have found work

He estimates that about half of all the refugees brought to Canada have managed to find work. That number includes government-sponsored refugees, community-sponsored refugees and asylum seekers.

Those who cannot find work will be forced to take provincial social assistance and Jisiri said those people would automatically be signed up to receive help.

"We've been working as a community very hard all together in Canada," he said. "I have been to so many countries in the past year and I have seen different initiatives.

"I haven't seen nothing like Canada."