Our various levels of Government have recently announced that bringing in 25,000 Syrian refuges will cost the Canadian taxpayers $1.2 billion.
While I understand that this will create a nice photo opportunity and will get many politicians into the history books as great humanitarians, wouldn’t this money be better spent helping people who are already Canadians? For example our many homeless people, many First Nations people who live in absolutely horrid conditions, and of course, our veterans — many of whom cannot get the help they need to deal with both physical and mental wounds they received while serving their country.
Our politicians are always crying broke but now they have magically found the funds and housing to help with this refugee situation.
Many churches and private citizens have also come forward to offer help. This is very generous, but you don’t need to look to the other side of the world to find people who need your help, just look around your own neighbourhood at your fellow citizens.
I understand that the Syrian refugees have undergone a horrible life-changing experience, but I think we should get our own house in order before we start worrying about the neighbours.
Jim Murray
Summerland