The Syrian family who rebuilt a chocolate empire in Nova Scotia

Seven years later, Peace by Chocolate continues to grow and its founder has become an advocate for immigration more open.

Many heartwarming stories have grown in the seven years since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Syrian refugees arriving by plane in Toronto. But few have captured the public's attention as much as that of Tareq Hadhad, who was on the third plane loaded with Syrians to land in Canada, and his family.

ImageTareq Hadhad, a medical student in Syria, rose to prominence in Canada for restarting a family chocolate business.Credit...Ian Austen/The New York Times

In addition to receiving widespread media attention e, Mr. Hadhad's story was made into a movie and was also told in a book.

For those of you who don't remember not quite their story, a brief recap. Back in Syria, Mr. Hadhad's father, Isam, had founded a confectionery in Damascus that eventually employed hundreds of people and shipped his chocolates all over the Middle East. Bombings during the Civil War leveled it.

The Hadhad became privately sponsored refugees in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Although the city is home to St. Francis Xavier University, it is generally known for its aging population rather than its economic vibrancy.

Mr. Hadhad was halfway through his medical studies when he fled Syria. But once in Canada, and with considerable help from the people of Antigonish, he vowed to reestablish his father's business as Peace by Chocolate.

Mr. Hadhad agreed to meet me in Halif...