Ottawa has a few extra weeks of breathing time to prepare for the arrival of Syrian refugees, but there’s still no word on how many will arrive in the city and where they will be temporarily housed.
The federal government’s refugee plan announced Tuesday was short on details about resettlement for the 25,000 refugees expected to arrive in Canada by the end of February. They will be distributed among at least 36 communities — maybe more — across the country.
Most will be dispatched quickly to their new hometowns after they arrive by the planeload in Montreal and Toronto. Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott said officials decided it was better for refugees to make a “rapid transition” and get settled in their host communities.
There is, however, room for as many as 6,000 refugees to be housed temporarily on military bases in Ontario and Quebec if that’s needed, said Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan.
The refugees will be distributed “relatively equally” across the country, said Refugee Minister John McCallum. A “hub and spoke” model might be adopted, in which some refugees are sent to a larger city first, then to a smaller centre, he said.
The federal government initially said it would bring in 25,000 refugees by the end of December. The delay into February is welcome, said Leslie Emory, executive director of The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization.
“I’m pleased they are stretching it out,” she said in an interview. “It gives us more time for planning and co-ordination. We can certainly use the time.”
But, she added, “We’re ready.” Ottawa settlement, medical and social service officials have been making plans for weeks to welcome the refugees. They estimate Ottawa might receive 1,000 to 3,000, but it might be less if more communities across Canada offer to take refugees.
Settlement agencies are counting on additional federal funding for support, language training and mental-health counselling for refugees, who are expected to arrive with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The government announcement included a promise of funding over the next six years of $61 million to $77 million for “welcoming in Canada” and $325 million to $377 million for settlement and immigration. No details were provided.
Housing, both temporary and long-term, will be a challenge.
In Ottawa, government-sponsored refugees go to a reception house in the ByWard Market that is operated by the Catholic Centre for Immigrants. It has room for 100 people. The refugees stay there for three or four weeks and receive a basic orientation to Canada.
Officials at the house are now preparing to welcome Syrian refugees, said spokesperson Carol Ouellette. The centre’s director, Carl Nicholson, has said he has been scouting for other temporary accommodation.
Officials from Canadian settlement agencies and municipalities are meeting with federal immigration officials in Toronto this weekend to try to iron out some details about resettlement plans.
Of the total 25,000 refugees to arrive by the end of February in Canada, 15,000 will be sponsored by the federal government, and the remaining 10,000 will be sponsored by private groups.
How can you help?
For information about donating money, goods or volunteering to help the Syrian refugees arriving in Ottawa, go to refugee613.ca
