Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, I wasn’t expecting to speak, but it being World Refugee Day, I thought I should speak. I want to remember the millions displaced and acknowledge their resilience and struggles. As senators have been speaking, I have been sitting and scribbling on paper. Senator Omidvar gave us the numbers, but I want to share with you that 52% of the current refugees are from three countries: Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. Over 43 million are children. We are witnessing the highest level of displacement on record.

Only 3% of refugee children will go to school or have higher education. For refugee girls, it’s even more difficult. Refugee girls have less access to education than boys and are half as likely to be enrolled in school by the time they reach secondary level. UNESCO estimates that if girls completed primary education, child marriage rates would go down by 14%, and if they completed secondary education, the rates would plummet by 64%.

Canada, once again, has come out as the leader. We have been and continue to be a world leader in accepting refugees. But on this day I want to think back to the people I have seen in refugee camps. I want to mention the young boy whom I met earlier this year. I asked him about his education and the education of the girls. He was from a small remote village in Afghanistan. He was selling stuff in my hometown, and I stopped to talk to him. He said, “Girls? Girls don’t get an education.” He said, “I don’t have an education. I went to class 6 and that was it.”

I want to acknowledge the widow whom I met when the people of Swat were displaced by the Taliban. When I was in the camp, she told me:

They keep telling me, “Bring your husband.” I’m a widow. I have been a widow for 20 years. They won’t let me have any aid unless I have a man by my side.

I think of the women whose tents I went into who said, “We need help; we need feminine products. We can’t ask the men.” And I was a spokesperson for these people. These are some of the stories that I have lived through, that I have seen, that we continue to see.

I want to thank every one of you, my colleagues. You have stood with us when we speak in support of the refugees, as we did on Bill C-41. I want to thank you for that. I want to remind you: Let’s not forget those who are displaced and let’s applaud their courage. Thank you very much.

Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Gold, there were over 110,000 refugee applications yet to be processed by April 26, and many applicants live in horrible conditions, often in a refugee colony, while they await a decision from the IRCC. These delays are putting LGBT refugees’ lives at risk on a daily basis and greatly affecting their mental health. To make matters worse, they are often persecuted by other refugees and the police. Senator Gold, these vulnerable refugees live in constant fear for their lives. Why is your government not doing more to help them? How much longer do they have to wait?

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate. Yesterday, the Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, said it would take two years to bring Afghan refugees to Canada. I understand the challenges, Senator Gold, but given that the government knew the challenges it would face — if not years ago, at least months ago — does the government expect that some of these refugees who are on the run and hiding home to home, who are also facing a humanitarian crisis, will still be alive after two years?

Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Gold, these Afghan families have been through a lot of trauma, from leaving their country to now adapting to new surroundings, a new language and their new lives. While they are very grateful for Canada’s help, their current living arrangements are only aggravating their already failing mental health. What is being done to offer Afghan refugees appropriate and much-needed support services?