According to Citizenship Canada, about 44,599 Syrian refugees came to Canada in November 2015, among which 606 have now become Canadian citizens eligible to vote in the 2019 election.
Newcomer Mohammed Alsaleh was excited to cast his ballot as a first-time voter. While speaking to CBC News, Alsaleh considered the candidates’ stance on immigration issues, saying: "This is amazing. Democracy is awesome, and it's so empowering. As a former refugee, Canada's immigration policy is something that saved my life and something that saved my family's life.”
Elections Canada reported that only 66% of voters turned out in 2015. Many Syrian newcomers who are now eligible to vote are embracing the new status unlike some Canadian-born citizens who sometimes show indifference. Alsaleh further commented: ”People are dying to have a say in my country, Syria, and here you can do it without being policed, without being harassed. You shouldn't take it for granted. You should go out there, you should vote. Do your duty as a citizen.”