Saskatchewan readies for Syrian refugees

Refugee support groups in Saskatchewan are awaiting the details as Ottawa releases details today of the plan to resettle 25,000 refugees across the country.

It's a wonderful opportunity for us as a county to put ourselves back on the international map.-Erin Wolfson,Saskatoon Refugee Coalition.

It's still unclear exactly how many Syrian refugees will be making their way to Saskatchewan, but local groups continue to get ready.

"Hopefully as a community we can set the record straight and make some strong statements respecting the rights of refugees and highlighting the contribution that refugees make," said Erin Wolfson with the Saskatoon Refugee Coalition.

The coalition, which is made up of a number of advocates focusing on everything from housing to health, will meet this afternoon to discuss plans to make the transition easier.

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"It's a wonderful opportunity for us as a county to put ourselves back on the international map and recognize the rolewe've played in the past and can play in providing protection for refugees," Wolfson added.

There's been a lot of activity this week in Saskatchewan with various individuals and groups in both Saskatoon and Regina calling for donations of household goods to help refugees settle here.

Local governments are also getting ready

City hall in Regina is also getting ready. Mayor Michael Fougere called on administrators to take stock of how prepared the city is for the arrival, settlement and integration of Syrian refugees.

"Immigration is not a city issue, it is a federal issue but they live in our cities, they live in our country. We will do what we can to accommodate the request notwithstanding the size that it could be."

That report is due early next month.

Premier Brad Wall also remained vocal this week about his desire for the Liberal government to drop its self-imposed deadline to bring the 25,000 refugees to Canada.

"Let's just make sure we're driven by results," Wall said.

Wall would like to see Ottawa take its time to understand the sort of impact the initial wave of resettlement has on communities here, before forging ahead to meet a deadline.