Canada prides itself in welcoming refugees who enrich our society and strengthen our communities. The Afghan crisis requires urgent attention and action. We can all pitch in to make a difference in the lives of refugees.

We must help the Afghan people, who have worked tirelessly on initiatives that reflect the principles we, as Canadians, hold dear to our hearts, such as freedom of speech, human rights, and women’s rights.

There is a massive humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan with millions of lives at stake. As Canadians, it is our calling to extend a helping hand to save as many lives as possible by welcoming refugees.

This is a humanitarian disaster on a scale unlike any I have seen, in 11 years of working in war zones. As Canadians, we have a moral obligation to step up and help those who wish to find their way to a new life in Canada. I am honoured to be a part of this effort.

Canada is a leader in supporting refugees. I have lived it. With just a few hours of notice and shortly after Hong Kong fell to the Japanese, my family and I fled to Canada in August 1942. Since then, Canada has continued to welcome refugees from around the world, especially during humanitarian crises like the one that Afghanistan is facing. Canada’s Operation Lifeline in 1979 demonstrated a proactive and innovative approach with Canada going to the refugees rather than waiting for them to make their way to us. Canadians from all corners of the country also became private sponsors to support the 60,000 Indochinese refugees. In 2015, Canadians came together once again to make a difference in the lives of Syrian refugees. The past has taught us that Canada always responds and we must do it again. The Afghan people need us.

The strength of this province rests in how we treat those most vulnerable and in need. As a community we have come together in the past to meet the needs of refugees and I am proud to see Ontarians and Canadians doing that again in response to the arrival of refugees from Afghanistan. Caring Ontarians are once more digging deep to welcome newcomers into our neighbourhoods and family.

Canada remains committed to supporting the Afghan people and our commitment is more important now than ever before. We must work together, pool our resources and present innovate solutions to meet the needs of Afghan refugees.

Our city will be the destination for thousands of people fleeing Afghanistan. This is an opportunity for Torontonians and all Canadians to once again show their compassion and commitment to helping others and to work together to support the sponsorship and resettlement efforts. On a personal level, my experience in helping sponsor and resettle a Syrian family was life-changing. Lifeline Afghanistan will build on the lessons learned to help facilitate private sponsorship and support for Afghan refugees. We have done it before and we can do it again and our city and our country will be stronger for it.