Refugees – Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

ISANS announces the continuation of Settlement Online Pre-Arrival program through $13.1 million in funding from IRCC

January 17, 2019January 16, 2019

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced $13.1 million dollars in funding for ISANS to continue its Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) program. This groundbreaking program developed and overseen by ISANS ensures that immigrants arrive prepared for their new life in Canada.

“Our mission is to help immigrants build a future in Nova Scotia. This funding will allow us to better prepare newcomers for their arrival in Canada through SOPA’s expanded pre-arrival services, alleviating some of the stresses associated with the settlement process,” says Jennifer Watts, CEO of ISANS…

Doing ‘what Canadians do’ attracts newcomer kids to hockey program

November 5, 2018

By Frances Willick, CBC News, November 3, 2018 The new skaters, from 5 years old to 14, came to Canada as government-assisted refugees For some, falling on the ice was the scary part of playing hockey. For others, that was the fun part. But it was, for better or for … Read more

Video: I Am Today

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018

Marwa Harb’s face lights up when she talks about the people she has met since arriving in Canada as a refugee from Syria. Topping her list – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “I paint (a picture of) the prime minister,” says Marwa, 16. “I gave it to him. He was … Read more

For World Refugee Day, a crowd of 500+ walked through downtown Halifax

June 27, 2018June 18, 2018

The streets of downtown Halifax were yellow Saturday afternoon as over 500 participants marched from the Garrison Grounds to the Halifax Central Library for the fifth annual Walk with Refugees for a Stronger Canada. At the reception, participants heard from Immigration Minister, Lena Diab, ISANS CEO, Jennifer Watts, and former … Read more

Syrian refugee family reflects on first two years in Halifax

February 1, 2019May 23, 2018

In many ways, the Al Saieds fit the mould of an average Halifax family. They drive a Toyota. The father, Mohamad, works in construction. His wife, Rouida, works as a cleaner for their condo complex. The kids are in school, with big dreams: 16-year-old Hana wants to be a police officer, journalist and a nurse. To this idea, her older brother Khaled, 20, smiles lovingly. He’s hoping to attend school to become a pilot in the fall.

Four myths about Canada’s border crossings

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018

From the Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 2018 Michelle Rempel, Conservative immigration critic, tweeted recently that the media was finally writing about “illegal border crossings” after she had been raising it for a year. The problem is that several recurring myths are shaping much of the coverage. Here are four of … Read more

Peace by Chocolate names new bar after the Mi’kmaq word for peace

February 1, 2019May 4, 2018

A Canadian chocolate company founded by Syrian refugee Tareq Hadhad has produced its first chocolate bar — and given it an Indigenous name. Peace by Chocolate of Antigonish revealed Wednesday its new milk chocolate and hazelnut bar is to be called Wantaqo’ti (pronounced Wan-tahk-oo-di), the Mi’kmaq word for peace.

Beginning Again: Stories of new Syrian Nova Scotians

November 16, 2017

CBC’s Shaina Luck launches a new series called Beginning Again: Stories of new Syrian Nova Scotians that grew from the question: how are the Syrian newcomers doing now? Read the series or listen here: Syrian refugees bump N.S. population to record high — but will they stay? Unable to find … Read more

Walk with Refugees for a Stronger Canada 2017

July 6, 2017July 6, 2017

The annual Walk with Refugees for a Stronger Canada was well attended this year, with 200+ participants marching down Spring Garden Road in the pouring rain. We had a great turnout and though the skies were grey, the streets of Halifax were yellow! Thanks to all participants and volunteers, we … Read more

June 20 is World Refugee Day: It’s time to lead. Again. Always.

December 5, 2017June 20, 2017

Canadian Council for Refugees. June, 2017. The world is witnessing an unprecedented number of refugees. Globally, 1.19 million refugees need resettlement. A third of those are from Africa. In 2016, in response to the crisis facing refugees from Syria, Canada took action. But since then, Canada’s leadership on refugees has … Read more

Halifax refugee supporters to Ottawa: Canada can be ‘a world leader’

July 4, 2017June 19, 2017

CBC News, 17 June 2017. On World Refugee Day, Halifax supporters have one main message to the government: don’t let support slip. Halifax joined communities across Canada in hosting a refugee walk. A large group of adult and children braved the driving rain on Saturday afternoon, walking from the Garrison … Read more

6 Things Canadian Sponsors Love About Meeting Syrian Refugees

April 13, 2017

From UNHCR Canada. Arriving in a new country can be a scary experience, but when Najwa and Reyad Al Hamoud arrived in Canada they were greeted with jumps of joy. Elaine Hofer, one of the Al Hamoud family’s sponsors, had driven two hours from a Hutterite colony near Brandon, Manitoba, … Read more