Handcrafted buttons welcome Syrian refugees to Quebec

A Montreal womanhopes to counter anti-refugee sentiments with handcrafted welcome buttons for new arrivals.

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MarieBrodeur-Glinaswants the waves of Syrian refugees that continue to arrive in Quebec to feel welcome.

"I very quickly felt this was the tool I was missing to express my desire to welcome, to counter hateful messages that pollute social media and garbage radio," Brodeur-Glinas told Radio-Canada.

Brodeur-Glinas bought the rights to the illustrationshe saw on social media and immediately got to work to make it a button.

She started with a small order of 1,000 buttons but as the movement gained traction, she ordered another10,000 this week.

"I wanted to show that we can wear on our lapels a message that is softer, positive and welcoming."

The money raised goes towardRIVO-Rsilience, an organization that offers psychological services to refugees. Brodeur-Glinashas given $800.

From churches to clinics

The buttons aren't only limited to Quebec they have made it as far asBritish Columbia and Switzerland.

Doctor Gilles de Margerie, who works in a CLSCin the borough ofCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce, decided to pin a button to his stethoscope.

He often treats patients who came to Quebecseeking asylum or refugeand he wants them to feel welcome.

"We know that in healthcare, it's essential to create trust and it is also importantas a welcoming society," de Margerie said. "So if a button can do that, why not?"

A parish in Lvisordered buttons to distribute and raise money for an arrivingSyrian family.

"It's a way to raise awareness and to counteract the fear associated with the arrival of refugees," saidGinetteL'Heureux from Saint-Joseph-de-Lvis Parish.