Privacy important to protect vulnerable refugee families, officials note

Officials are reminding Canadians that some refugees arriving in cities across the country this weekend still have family members in Syria who remain in vulnerable situations and have privacy concerns.

Saskatoon is expecting 14 new residents over the weekend.

Agencies that are working with the refugees and government authorities have reminded news media that while efforts will be made to ensure the story of their arrival can be reported, in some cases identifying people will not be possible.

"[T]he first newcomers, and those who will follow, have been through a difficult and arduous journey," Mark Rogstad, a spokesman for the City of Saskatoon, pointed out in a note to news media. "Some refugees arriving are vulnerable because they still have family members in Syria who risk harm from the current regime."

To ensure things go smoothly, Rogstad said efforts will be made to assist news reporters so that photo and video opportunities will be available to "tell the important story of the refugees arriving in Saskatoon without revealing the identities of the vulnerable people coming to our city."