Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada Only Country To Charge Refugees Interest On Travel Loans: Advocates

The Canadian Press, 11 Sep, 2015 12:29 PM
    VANCOUVER — Canada's controversial practice of charging refugees interest on travel loans is in the spotlight as the global Syrian crisis unfolds.
     
    The federal government requires refugees to pay for their own travel costs and overseas medical exams and will loan families up to $10,000.
     
    But refugee advocates say Canada is the only country in the world to charge interest, at a rate set annually by the Finance Department.
     
    Chris Friesen of the Immigration Services Society of B.C. says other countries including the U.S. and Australia don't require refugees to pay interest.
     
    He says refugees such as Samer Aldhmad, a Syrian father of five living in Surrey, must sacrifice putting food on the table in order to get out of debt.
     
    Aldhmad repaid a loan of more than $7,000 in less than a year using his child tax benefit, although he says he's just grateful to be in Canada.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canadian Workers Pessimistic About Future; Expect To Work Longer: Payroll Survey

    Canadian Workers Pessimistic About Future; Expect To Work Longer: Payroll Survey
    The situation is worst in Ontario, British Columbia and Atlantic Canada.

    Canadian Workers Pessimistic About Future; Expect To Work Longer: Payroll Survey

    Green Party Unveils Campaign Platform With Billions In Promises, Without Deficit

    The Greens were the first of the federal parties to unveil their platform before the Oct. 19 election.

    Green Party Unveils Campaign Platform With Billions In Promises, Without Deficit

    Group Were Playing Around Before School Bus Hit And Killed Teen: Witness

    Group Were Playing Around Before School Bus Hit And Killed Teen: Witness
    The videotape testimony came on the second day of the trial of a 15-year-old boy charged with criminal negligence causing death.

    Group Were Playing Around Before School Bus Hit And Killed Teen: Witness

    Ontario First Nations Chiefs Raise Funds To Pay For Inquiry Into Missing Women

    First Nations Chiefs in Ontario are launching an online fundraising campaign to pay for their own public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

    Ontario First Nations Chiefs Raise Funds To Pay For Inquiry Into Missing Women

    Family, Friends Gather To Remember University Student Police Say Was Murdered

    Family, Friends Gather To Remember University Student Police Say Was Murdered
    William Sandeson, a 22-year-old varsity track athlete who was about to start classes at Dalhousie's medical school, was charged with first-degree murder on Aug. 20, four days after Samson was reported missing.

    Family, Friends Gather To Remember University Student Police Say Was Murdered

    Provincial Calls For More Syrian Refugees Misses Money Question: Expert

    Provincial Calls For More Syrian Refugees Misses Money Question: Expert
    University of Toronto sociology professor Monica Boyd said such requests amount to asking the federal government to pay the tab — about $35,000 per refugee family in the first year.

    Provincial Calls For More Syrian Refugees Misses Money Question: Expert