FEATURED COMMENT – Canada will benefit enormously from refugees

Re: Gavin MacFadyen column, ‘Canada will regret laying out the welcome mat’:

First of all, refugees are being welcomed as they arrive, but they must still go through the vetting process. Those that do not meet the criteria will be deported.

Second, Syria and Iraq are beautiful places, with vibrant agricultural land. Once the war is over many of these refugees will choose to go home and rebuild their homes and cities.

Third, Canadians have become risk averse, seeking secure well paying employment. We need entrepreneurs. The refugees have experienced the worst that life can throw at them. They know what real risk is. The risk of starting businesses is tiny in comparison. They will be the people willing to put everything on the line to start businesses. They are the next generation of entrepreneurs that will be the small and medium size businesses employing the rest of us.

With the racism that has reared its ugly head in the U.S., Canada will be the preferred destination for the many skilled and talented people of the middle east. We will benefit enormously, and the U.S. will wonder why they got left behind.

RICHARD CARLSON