Thank you for your comment.  You're right, I have never been to the Middle East, and frankly have no desire to go there.  However, over time I have met many recent immigrants.  Some are honest, friendly, helpful, hard working, while a few are stubborn,  miserable and /or I couldn't trust.  The majority of Canadian citizens I have met fit into the same categories

I would expect the vast majority of Syrians, most are young families, will work hard to adapt.  and  will want  to provide a better & safe future for their children. It's natural that people want to be with people that share the same mother tongue.  The young adults will gain functional fluency fairly quickly.  The elderly, probably never.

I assume you are young, and speak one language.  Now imagine yourself in another country where you neither understand the language or the culture.  Believe me, if you find someone in that country who is fluent in English you will converse in English: even if you become fluently bilingual.