Sudbury Welcomes First Syrian Refugee Family

By: Nick Liard

It was a very warm welcome for the Qarquoz family, the first refugee family to arrive in Greater Sudbury, from war-torn Syria.

Their plane was delayed out of Toronto for a short period of time, but they made it, Thursday afternoon.

There is a mother, father and their three boys, ages nine, ten and 12.

The family spent the last three years in Lebanon and the year before that they were in Syria.

Through a translator, Mr Qarquoz called this period “the worst time of their lives”.

He told reporters he was a baker for 14-years before his family was forced to live in settlements.

He says they are now ready for a new start with their life in Canada.

St. Andrew’s United Church in Sudbury raised the money to sponsor the family, who will live in a home in the South End.

The family of five was supposed to be a family of six.

The grandfather was held behind because he had passport issues.

Joanne Ross, one of the members of the sponsor group, says that’s something they’ll look into first thing Monday morning.

The few words Mr Qarquoz spoke in English were: “Thank you, Canada.”.

The church group has found translators who speak Arabic who can communicate with the family.