September 2021
The collapse of Afghanistan to the terrorist group, the Taliban, came shockingly fast, and as a surprise to many in the western alliance that fought to bring a better life to Afghan citizens. One man saw what was coming and reacted quickly.
Now in Canada, Mohammad Ehsan Saadat, his wife Tamana and his four children, Eman, 11, Mohammad Naaman, 2, Narwan, 4 and Zahra, 7, are looking to re-build their lives in their chosen country.
As lead researcher with the Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization, part of Saadat’s job involved attending out-of-town seminars and presentations. As far back as March, Saadat learned that the peace talks between the government and the Taliban were not going well. He decided that he and his family had to leave their home country, and began the process of applying to come to Canada, under our relocation program for Afghan citizens who contributed to Canada’s mission.
A good news story in the otherwise sad story of Canada’s, and NATO’s, abandonment of our Afghan allies. However, as Mr. Saadat points out, it’s primarily due to his job and keen sense of awareness (and probably his education too), that enabled him to get his family out of danger, rather than the efficiency of Canadian immigration officials.
The federal government still doesn’t come off looking good, regardless of this one positive outcome.
Welcome to Canada Mr. Saadat. You and your family will love it here.
Hopefully you won’t have to wait long to find a job in your field. We already have too many highly educated cab drivers.
Sources: PASSIFIUME: One family’s odyssey from Kabul to Toronto | Toronto Sun
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Edited version that appeared in the Toronto Sun, 11 September 2021:
FAMILY TIES
Re “One family’s odyssey from Kabul to Toronto” (Bryan Passifiume, Sept. 8): A good news story in the otherwise sad story of Canada’s, and NATO’s, abandonment of our Afghan allies. However, as Mohammad Ehsan Saadat points out, it’s primarily due to his job and keen sense of awareness (and probably his education too), that enabled him to get his family out of danger, rather than the efficiency of Canadian immigration officials. The federal government doesn’t come off looking good, regardless of this one positive outcome. Welcome to Canada. You and your family will love it here. Hopefully you won’t have to wait long to find a job in your field. We already have too many highly educated cab drivers.
Bruce Forsyth
Barrie
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