Newcomer issues noticeably absent from Manitoba election campaign: advocates

A former refugee living in Winnipeg is concerned Manitoba’s provincial election campaign has not focused enough on newcomer issues.

Omar Rahimi, the co-owner of “Hire a Refugee,” helps refugees devastated by war or natural disasters find work in Canada.

Originally from Iran, Rahimi lived in Iraq before coming to Canada two decades ago.

He and other advocates believe Manitoba is not properly suited to welcome refugees to the province.

“First thing is the English and then everything else – finding jobs, support for women, for kids, school, English, the kids going to school,” he told CityNews.

“If we don’t do a good job, then they leave. They go to other provinces.”

Advocates say administrative delays, for instance, are having a significant impact on newcomers.

They point to the time it takes to get a health card in Manitoba as a prime example; the province is currently processing health card applications received by June 1.

“I still hear that there is tremendous lack of social safety nets when they arrive, and they often feel lost,” said Liz Choi, the CEO of Education Canada Group.

Rising cost of living

The Manitoba Filipino Business Council says the rising cost of living is making it harder for newcomers to adjust.

“I think that has really dissuaded a lot of these international students from staying here in Manitoba when, if they stayed here, they could contribute to our economy and contribute to the beautification of our province,” said Karla Atanacio, the group’s director of youth engagement.

Despite Manitoba’s reputation for being a more affordable place to live in compared to other regions, a resettlement coordinator at a non-profit organization that sponsors refugees in Winnipeg says it’s still challenging for cash-strapped newcomers.

“When they have medical emergencies, they have to pay out of their pocket and they’re coming here with no money,” said Elodie Furaha at Hospitality House Refugee Ministry Inc.

“There are other organizations as well that will house newcomers, but it’s becoming impossible because they will come knock at the door with no appointment. They just tell me, ‘you can help me find a place to live.'”

Child care issues for newcomers

Another issue for new Manitobans is child care.

“We have a lot of mothers who’ve come with children and they don’t have any daycare, said Joanne Lewandoski, the president of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress (UCC) Manitoba. “They’ve come by themselves. So they need to try to get a job to survive and a daycare program for their children.”

CityNews asked all the major parties for their positions on newcomer issues.

In a statement, the governing Progressive Conservatives said they helped Manitoba become a leader in welcoming newcomers, pointing to investments in settlement, employment services, daycare, and the reduction of financial barriers.

The Liberals say they would expand financial supports for newcomers and would work on the attraction and retention of newcomers and international students.

The NDP did not immediately respond.

Overall, advocates feel newcomer issues have been noticeably absent during this provincial election cycle.