Syrian refugees settling at highest per capita rate in Coquitlam

Syrian refugee support systems are gearing up to welcome some of the 2,490 people projected to start arriving in B.C.'s Lower Mainland by early December.

Surrey, Coquitlam and Burnaby are expected to be the top choices forthemajority of new arrivals, with 85 percent of government assisted refugees to B.C. tendingto settle in the Lower Mainland.

While most are expected to put down roots in Surrey, Coquitlam, with asmaller population,will see a higher per capita increase to itsSyrian community.

Support workers say the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, have not changed any plans to open B.C.'s doors to refugees.

"We can't stop now. There is too much at stake for those innocently caught up in this," said Chris Friesen, director of settlementservices for the Immigrant ServicesSociety in B.C. (ISS) who was part of an emergency meeting today.

"We'vegot to speed it up," he said.

Friesen saysdespite the Paris attacks, thousands of British Columbianscontinue to reach out to help some of the 9.5 million displaced Syrians.

"Yes. The situation in Paris was horrific, everyone can agree on that one, but there are millions of innocent Syrians that are caught up in a civil war going on now for five years. There continues to be tens of thousands that are making the perilous journey to neighbouring countries and Europe," he said.

Emergency meeting: first of its kind inB.C.

Friesen was part of anall-day, closed-door, emergencymeeting bringing togetherhealth, housing and community support authoritiesin a way, he says, hasnever been done before in B.C.

"And we are going into the winter months now," he added."This is the first time in the history of the province we've held a meeting like this."

The process will see Syrians arriving and held first in temporary reception facilities, then into the communities where they will live.

Based on ISS projections about 2,490 government-supported Syrian refugees are expected in B.C. Most will settle in Surrey, Coquitlam and Burnaby.

The FraserHealth Region has seen 3,346 Syrians settle there since 2010, according to the ISS.

Projected settlementby numbers:

• Surrey 900
• Coquitlam 600
• Burnaby540-600
• Vancouver 300
• New Westminster 120