SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Support for Syria

Honourable senators, as Syria celebrated the first anniversary of its liberation from six decades of tyranny on Monday, December 8, I rise today with immense pride to celebrate a remarkable Canadian story — one that began nearly a decade ago when our country opened its heart and its doors. It is a story that defines who we are as Canadians. It is a story of humanity transcending borders and of strangers becoming family.

In November 2015, Canada made a promise that resonated around the world: We pledged to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees in just three months. It was audacious, urgent and profoundly Canadian.

What followed was nothing short of a national mobilization of the human spirit. From St. John’s to Victoria, from small Prairie towns to bustling metropolises, Canadians answered the call. The basements of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples became welcoming centres; community halls were transformed into language schools; kitchen tables became the setting of life‑changing conversations between sponsors and newcomers.

This was not government policy alone; this was Canada at its finest: diverse and united in compassion.

Since then, over 100,000 Syrians have made Canada home. Among them is Dr. Abdulkader Husrieh, who immigrated to Canada with his family in 2017 and built deep family and professional roots in this country. Earlier this year, Dr. Husrieh was appointed to be the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria. In this capacity, he seeks to have Syria rejoin the international community as a responsible, viable partner. He is keen to set up strong financial ties with Canada, and he aspires to rebuild Syria’s monetary system using Canada’s own as a model.

Honourable colleagues, Dr. Husrieh’s story is just one example of what compassion creates, what generosity produces, and how compassion and generosity are paid forward.

When Canada invested in Syrian immigrants and refugees, we were not just saving lives; we were planting seeds that would one day bear fruit in ways we could not imagine. We were investing in our future.

On behalf of the Senate, I wish Dr. Husrieh the successful achievement of his aspirations.

Honourable senators, on December 5, Canada once again demonstrated another act of support for Syria by removing it from Canada’s List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism, thus welcoming Syria back into the international community and paving the way for significant partnerships with Syria on many fronts.

May the Syrian people find the prosperity and peace they deserve, and may Canada continue to stand as proof that when we extend our hand to those in need, we don’t just change their story; we enrich our own.

Thank you, meegwetch, shukran.