They can be doctors, lawyers and skilled labourers, but when refugees arrive in Canada they often have to find whatever employment they can. And that s usually low-paying, service jobs.
KITCHENER An executive at Kitchener-based tech company Bonfire has received one the country s highest civilian honours for a project to help newcomers enter the job market and rebuild their lives. Omar Salaymeh was announced as a recipient of the civil division of the Governor General s Meritorious Service Medal on Friday. He co-founded Jumpstart Refugee Talent in 2016, which was initially geared toward supporting Syrian newcomers. Since then it has grown to connect with more than 1,000 refugees of all backgrounds from across the country. The initiative aims to help newcomers find work where they can best put their skills to use.