Tuesday September 3, 2024
Members of the Somali community in Edmonton, including Bashir Haji Ali Jamal gather for a meeting with city officials to discuss challenges such as unemployment and housing shortages. SUPPLIED
TORONTO, Canada (HOL) — Somali immigrants in Canada are facing the harsh reality of unemployment and housing shortages, a stark contrast to the dreams they held before arriving in the country.
Asma Ali Abdi, a former school teacher from Mogadishu, who gained residency in Canada nearly a year ago, expected to find a land of opportunity where she could secure a stable job and build a better life. Instead, she found herself among a growing number of Somali immigrants struggling to find employment in the competitive job market of Edmonton.
"Very few Somalis have the skills or educational background needed to secure decent jobs," Asma told the BBC. "Most are forced into manual labour, which anyone can do."
The reality of the Canadian job market has been a harsh wake-up call for many, with unemployment among Somali immigrants exacerbated by a lack of job-specific skills and qualifications. This has left many in the community facing uncertain futures, unable to achieve the financial stability they hoped for.
In addition to unemployment, Somali immigrants are also dealing with a significant housing crisis. Asma highlighted the acute shortage of affordable housing in Edmonton, a situation worsened by the recent influx of immigrants to the region.
"I've seen many foreigners who are homeless, sleeping on the streets, but fortunately, I haven't seen any Somalis in that situation yet," she said.
The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has acknowledged these challenges and launched initiatives, including job training programs and increased funding for affordable housing. However, these efforts have yet to significantly impact Somali immigrants like Asma, who continue to struggle.
As the Somali community in Edmonton grapples with challenges such as unemployment and housing shortages, some members recently met with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to discuss potential solutions. The discussions focused on strengthening the relationship between the Somali community and the city government to address the community's needs.
"The meeting aimed to foster collaboration with the mayor to tackle the challenges faced by the Somali community," said Bashir Haji Ali Jamal, who attended the meeting. Mayor Sohi pledged to increase the availability of affordable housing, support Somali business owners in securing city contracts, and assist new arrivals in finding employment.
Another attendee, Awil Ahmed, emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting its potential to bring about positive changes for the Somali community in Edmonton. "This meeting was crucial for our community, and it will have a major impact on improving the current situation," he said.
A recent report from a Canadian immigration institute revealed that immigration levels have surged over the past 12 years, with 2019 marking a peak. This increase is partly due to the 20-year-old Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, which mandates that migrants seek asylum in the first safe country they reach.
Prime Minister Trudeau has resisted U.S. calls to close the Roxham Road crossing, a popular entry point for migrants, arguing that the U.S.-Canada border spans thousands of kilometres. Trudeau asserted that closing one crossing would only drive migrants to take more dangerous routes to reach Canada.