Montreal event hoping to inspire discussion for refugees

World refugee day is June 20 and a Montreal event is hoping to inspire discussion and change – nearly 40,000 people sought asylum and crossed the Quebec/New York State border at Roxham Road in 2022.

“This year was very challenging for refugee claimants with the closing of Roxham the bureaucracy was very complicated a lot of people didn’t have access to work permits the housing crisis like there’s so much going on,” said Selma Mezdaoui, a community worker with Welcome Collective. “It’s really hard for some people to take a five to six-year journey to make it to Canada when they have to cross.”

“Especially at this moment when we recently closed Roxham Road this is something we have been fighting about where I used to work the Canadian Centre for Refugees (CCR) and we did a lot of advocacy around that it’s important that this road remains open because of else it’s going to become unsafe for asylum seekers to come to Canada because they’ll have to go other ways where it’s more dangerous and risky for them,” explained Umurutasaté, Rwandan Canadian artist based in Montreal.

Janet McFetridge, who volunteers at Roxham Road and is vice president of Plattsburgh Cares added, “Once that method was shut down in March, people still came they didn’t know and that when their hopes were dashed and all of a sudden they’re at the top of New York State with no plan and no idea what to do.”

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During the event, stories of seeking asylum, shed light on the lived experiences of newcomers, community workers, and volunteers.

“Stories that bind us together as mothers and fathers brothers and sisters human beings sharing this planet,” said McFetridge.

Amani Ali is a refugee who fled to Canada through Roxham Road. She was at the event and said, “It’s very hard for me. It’s very. It’s the first time in my life that I have become fearful.

“I know a lot of people in my community in the Rwandan community here in Montreal, that went through that so it’s important to fight and we stand up,” she added.

McFetridge added, “Most of us would do the same. I ask people what would they do if their children were threatened, and they say ‘I would leave.’ That’s the situation that a lot of people are in and if you have to flee to save your life or the life of your family that’s what you’re going to do.”