Vegreville residents urge Justin Trudeau to keep immigration centre open

Schools, restaurants and other small businesses would start to disappear if the federal government moves an immigration centre from Vegreville to Edmonton, supporters of the case processing centre say.

David Sen, a resident of the town some 100 kilometres east of Edmonton, joined about 20 protesters outside the Telus World of Science Saturdaylooking to catch Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's attention.

"We're hoping that he sees that we're here," Sen told CBC News. "I really hope that they have a heart and look at it and say 'maybe we made a mistake here.'"

Trudeau was in Edmonton as part of a quick West Coast tour and took the opportunity to tout his Liberal government's child benefit program monthly payments made to eligible families.

He also told media he was firm about the decision to relocate the centre and over 200 jobs with it.

"We are moving forward in a way that works with the community to minimize the impacts of this transition, which we know is difficult."

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Trudeau saidImmigration Minister Ahmed Hussen and Infrastructure MinisterAmarjeet Sohi were "closely engaged"in the issue.

Lakeland MPShannon Stubbs, who represents Vegreville, wants the prime minister to put action into words.

"If he means any of his rhetoric about caring about middle class families and kids and women, he'll recognize that the impact of removing 280 jobs from Vegreville will be devastating to the town, to the region," she said.

The town has posted documents on its websiteoutlining the economic impacts the move would have on the5,000 residents, including a million dollars in lost annual revenue.

Sen, whose wife is an immigration officer at the centre, saidfamilieswill take on extra expenses if the centre moves, such as the cost of gas and parking.

"Having to have an extra caregiver if you have children because you're not going to be able to run home as quickif your kid gets sick at school."

"Even sporting events you're not going to make it in time because lots of these events starts at 5-5:30."

It is estimated that the relocation will cost millions of dollars in leasing and renovation expenses, Stubbs argued.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is urging people to sign a petition online. Stubbs wants Premier Rachel Notley to ask the prime minister to reverse the decision.