Refugee Needs

While it is great to see Canada open its doors to refugees, what is being done to ensure this humanitarian undertaking does not create undue pressures on our overstretched health care system, existing insufficient affordable housing, unemployment  problems and other services already pushed to their limits? The government has estimated it will cost around $1B to get 25,000 Syrian refugees brought here and settled into communities throughout Canada. The government however has not explained the longer-term financial impact for this endeavour. Although this is understandably a 'feel good' moment for many people, hopefully the financial costs associated with getting the newcomers to a self-sufficient point will not come at the expense that sidetracks our own pressing need to improve the lives of our own at risk citizens.