Most Somali Canadians entered Canada as refugees to escape the war, famine, and political disorder of their homeland (Mensah, 2002). The late 1980’s and early 90’s saw a significant increase in the number of Somali refugees seeking Canadian ground (Adelson et al., 2000; Magocsi, 1999).
The transition to Canadian life for most has not been easy. The majority of Somalis, upon entry to Canada lack the government documents and identification sources required by the Canadian government’s immigration regulations to obtain permanent resident status (Magosci, 1999). This creates a situation where a number of Somalis are unable to apply for employment or health coverage, or to sponsor relatives from their homeland (Magosci, 1999).
Not until 2001, when a lawsuit was filed by a group of Somali refugees did an agreement result with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, permitting Somali refugees to apply for landed status without Somali-government documents (Pagliacolo).
References:
Adelson, A. Hassan, A. Jowhar, S. (2000). Enough is enough! Voices of Somali women for peace, reconciliation and political rights. Canadian Women Studies, 19, 4, 132-136.
Magocsi, P.R. (ed.) (1999). Encyclopedia of Canada’s Peoples, Toronto. Buffalo and London: University of Toronto Press, for the Multicultural History Society of Ontario.
Mensah, Joseph. (2002). Black Canadians: History, Experiences, Social Conditions. Halifax: Fenwood Publishing.
Pagliacolo, Elizabeth. Group Backgrounds: Somalis. Diversity Watch. Available: http://www.diversitywatch.ryerson.ca/backgrounds/somalis.htm
