Just Last Year

It is Jan.4, broken any of your resolutions yet?

I don’t make resolutions anymore, but if I did, it would be in this column. 2010 isn’t done until I clear up a bunch of points you and I made with my refugee/old age pensioner column.

Essentially, I said that refugees get more money than old age pensioners. In part only, my information was taken from an email circulating at the time.

First, let me reprint the rejoinder from the Government of Canada:

“A widely circulated email alleges that government-assisted refugees receive much more income support and benefits than Canadian pensioners. Is this accurate?
Refugees do not receive more financial assistance from the federal government than Canadian pensioners. The email message mistakenly includes the one-time start-up payment as part of the monthly payment. The amount of monthly financial support provided to government-assisted refugees is based on provincial social assistance rates, and it provides the minimum amount required to cover only the most basic food and shelter needs.
Many refugees selected for resettlement to Canada have been forced to flee their country because of extreme hardship. Some may have been living in refugee camps for many years. When they arrive in Canada, they must start their lives again in a country very different from their own.
In keeping with Canada’s proud humanitarian traditions, individuals and families are provided with immediate and essential services and support to help them become established in Canada.”

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First, Fact Checker – you said I should be careful about writing without much research and in using emails without checking them.
– it makes sense to help them settle in
– my figures can’t be right
– I made things worse for refugees.
You are absolutely right.

I am ashamed of myself that I didn’t research. My self proclaimed motto in writing is ‘Be accurate’, but I wasn’t accurate at all and I did do more harm to refugees.

Worst of all, I worked for a year settling government sponsored boat people in Manitoba. Rules have changed but are essentially the same, so I should have balked at the figures. We found apartments for them and furnished them. We provided groceries and introduced them to the community and things that are different here.

They received a sum from Manpower until Manpower found work for them – and that was very quickly – within a month. Never had Brandon had so many welders and dishwashers. Every ethnic restaurant had Vietnamese cooks! And all on minimum wage. They all soon moved to large cities and better paying jobs.

The recent boatload of those who paid $50,000 could well become slaves paying the fare back. Fortunately, Immigration is protecting them to some degree.

By the way, I receive $750 which is CPP and OAP together. Fine for me, but what about the widowed senior who has no other income. There are supplements but it seems unfair that people who worked hard should be brought so low in their ‘Golden Years’.

Athos – I agree with most of what you said, but I disagree strongly that older people brought here by immigrant families should receive pensions immediately.

Kafka – did I answer your questions?

Next column will be researched.