Some Syrian refugees are drowning in debt after Canada bills them for airfare

[MADem]

http://mashable.com/2016/01/19/canadas-resettled-refugees/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link#d3YQJA.TsSqn



Six-year-old Ahmad Mazan Khabbaz, a refugee from Syria, smiles as he arrives with his parents and sisters at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015

Canada's fast-track resettlement program for Syrian refugees has helped thousands build new lives, but some early arrivals are now saddled with staggering debt.

The program, which will see 25,000 people relocated from the Middle East by the end of February, has been applauded by many. But some who arrived before it officially began on Nov. 4 — which was prior to the country's newly elected Liberal government coming to power— are being billed thousands of dollars for their airfare and mandatory medical checks.

Canadian broadcaster CBC reports that the new program created a two-tier system for Syrian refugees who arrived in the country in 2015. Before the resettlement program, Syrian refugees were welcomed to Canada on a case-by-case basis like other asylum seekers, who pay similar transportation and medical bills. One of the families who came before the new program's adoption owes the government $9,000, according to CBC.

Dozens of other Syrian refugees are believed to have similar debts, which they have between one and six years to repay. The government also charges interest. According to the CBC report, Canada is one of only three countries around the world that charges refugees for their transportation for resettlement and is the only country that adds interest to that debt.....