Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

From my understanding the Welfare system in parts of Europe is far more generous than Canada especially with regard to the provision of housing.

I seem to remember articles talking about how the people smugglers would advertise their services by detailing all the welfare benefits migrants/refugees get in various countries in Europe.

My elderly aunt in the UK lives extremely well on benefits only (with care allowance), free accommodation etc and is even able to go on 2 cruises a year (no exaggeration). In fact she is better off now then when she was working. I've not heard of such generosity in Canada.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Not a DM reader.... Prefer Reuters, Telegraph and Times
And I'm basing my thoughts on the choice locations preferred by the migrants
Seems to coincide with those with strong welfare systems, why else do you think they chose Sweden as 2nd choice to Germany.... not the weather, although this might be touted by some as a reason to avoid Canada ??
I think you're naïve if you don't thing the migrants consider the welfare system as a significant part of their reason to be allowed to choose their final destination

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

It's probably a factor, especially for refugees as opposed to economic migrants. A refugee will need support until they re-establish themselves. Openess is another factor, Sweden has been very welcoming until recently.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

The US had open borders until after WW1. When did Canada tighten up on immigration ?

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

From the linked website, seems the immigration act was passed in 1906 that started to better control immigration. Not sure how easy or difficult it was prior to this.

So maybe around 1906?

A hundred years of immigration to Canada 1900 - 1999 | Canadian Council for Refugees

"According to Frank Oliver, Minister of the Interior, the purpose of the Act was "to enable the Department of Immigration to deal with undesirable immigrants" by providing a means of control. The Act enshrined and reinforced measures of restriction and enforcement. "

1908- Amendments were made to Chinese Immigration Act expanding the list of prohibited persons and narrowing the classes of persons exempt from the head tax.

1908 also saw border inspections set up along the US/Canada border.

1885 the first Chinese Exclusion Act was passed and head tax added.

Probably depends what color you were and where one was from as to when immigration restrictions were put in place?

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

The Imam at the little mosque in the hood was out the other day shovelling snow off their sidewalk. Because it's a corner lot there's a lot of footage to do. He was the first I saw on my block to clear the walk (there's only an inch or so of snow) but since then my neighbour and then I have. When we get a lot of extended snowfall nobody can keep up and walking on the sidewalk is like hiking on a narrow mountain trail.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Live fire over the heads of protesters. Europe will be torn apart unless the refugee crisis is brought under control.

Dutch police fire warning shots during riots over refugee centre - DutchNews.nl

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Oh don't be ridiculous. 100 nimbyists break a window?

THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

100 nimbyists but only 15 minibuses.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Maybe the long term solution is for the refugees in Holland is to become driving instructors.

Driving instructors 'may offer lessons in return for sex', Netherlands government confirms - Telegraph

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

I lived next to a similar sized town in the Netherlands many many years ago and I found the idea of the police firing live rounds above the heads of people in a built up area profoundly shocking. Whilst you can argue its just one incident, its part of a massively increasing number of incidents that shows a dangerous gulf rising between many Europeans and the mainstream political elite. Lets not forget the refugee crisis in Europe has only just started. If you are realistic the number of people wanting to move to Europe isn't going to reduce even if peace suddenly breaks out in Syria.

The economic and financial problems in Europe just adds to the difficultly as our new Canadian immigration minister acknowledges when talking about the Syrian refugees "Noting that many Canadians are out of work or have been waiting months and years for affordable housing, McCallum acknowledged the threat of a “backlash,”"

The question is will Europe's politicians (Merkel) listen to the warning signs and take action to get the crisis under control or not? Merkel bought herself a few months but if the number of refugees don't "materially" reduce?

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

The classic poor white working class ignored by the political elite line. The clarion call of the small time fascist.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Would you call Bernie Sanders, Podemos, Syriza, the new Portuguese government fascist? They all have risen in popularity with an anti political elite/establishment message.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

In Dresden the anti-immigrant rally was smaller than the pro-immigrant rally. There are bound to be frictions, but on the whole I think Europeans are behind the refugees. And of course, as migrants get established, the infrastructure (housing, networks, jobs) becomes self fulfilling. Think of all the negativity towards South Asian migrants a few decades ago, and how integrated and "British" these migrants have become.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Maybe it's a clarion call to the government to build affordable housing for everybody; it's long overdue. They need a list, I should make a list of priorities and send it to PM Trudeau. I shook his father's hand once.