BC government lays out Syrian refugee resettlement plans

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We’re getting a clearer picture of how BC will welcome Syrian refugees.

The federal and provincial governments are promising a wide range of services. $1-million has already been set aside through a special refugee fund.

Jobs Minister Shirley Bond says half will go to creating up to five ‘rapid response’ teams with community organizations to help refugees get on their feet.

“Once we are aware of where our government-assisted refugees will be settled, there will be opportunities for organizations to come together, including churches, service providers, and others,” she says.

The other half will go to the Immigrant Services Society of BC:

“[They will make] sure we have services in place for both private-sponsored and government-sponsored refugees,” Bond adds. “They will also be tracking volunteer efforts, and looking at donations. They will also be looking at housing and employment leads.”

“[ISS] will take on a provincial, central co-ordinating role,” Bond says.

Another $1.5-million grant will support job training, teaching language skills, and hiring interpreters.

Refugee families will also be able to take advantage of BC child tax credits.

Meanwhile, the number of private sponsorships for Syrian refugees is far lower in BC than in other parts of the country, but Chris Friesen with I.S.S. says that’s neither surprising or a cause for concern.

“We have to remember that the private sponsorship is by-and-large a family reunification program,” he says. “Given the fact that there is a small Syrian-Canadian community in British Columbia, it would result in smaller numbers.”

“We will likely get higher numbers of government-assisted refugees,” Friesen adds. “Those individuals should start arriving in a matter of days now, and we’re looking at projections of upwards of two-thousand before the end of February.

The province now says it’s prepared to take up to 3,500 government-sponsored refugees, although it’s not yet clear what the exact number will be.

Around 220 refugees will be privately sponsored in BC.

Friesen adds ISS. is still looking for help finding permanent housing for the refugees, who are set to start arriving here on December 10th.

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