Up to 100 Syrian refugees could land in Thunder Bay, council told

Superior Morning5:16Thunder Bay & Syrian Refugees

There could be as many as 100 Syrian refugees landing in the city in as little as two weeks. We'll hear what some city councillors have to say

Thunder Bay could have as many as 100 Syrian refugees in the city within two weeks.

Mayor Keith Hobbs told council at a meeting Monday night he learned about hosting up to 20 families or roughly 100 Syrian refugees when he spoke to federal immigration Minister, John McCallum on the weekend.

Many on council, including Rebecca Johnson, supported bringing them to Thunder Bay.

"We need to be doing this. I think it's important. This country was built on refugees and immigrants coming to our country."

Johnson said Thunder Bay has a reputation for not being welcoming, and refusing to take in refugees would only tarnish the city's image.

But Coun.Linda Rydholm had concerns that the federal government has not committed to paying for the cost of hosting them.

City administration estimates the cost could be up to $200,000 a week.

"Yes, we're willing, but not willing to take the cost for your program," Rydholm said,

"This is a federal promise, a federal program, [and] federal money should pay not municipal taxpayers."

Acting city manager Norm Gale said the city will "probably know sooner rather than later, given the urgency and the intent of the federal government."

In the end, council agreed to start the leg work on how to accommodate up to 100 new people in the city, even if the federal government does not commit to funding.

"These people need help. They need help. And, I think we as a nation, we are able to help," said Coun. Andrew Foulds.

"Who wouldn't want to live in Canada?"

The city would have its Emergency Operations Committee co-ordinate accommodations and meals forthe refugees. The committee is the same group that co-ordinates when people come in for forest fire evacuations, as well as when the flood of 2012 happened.

Temporary housing ideas included providing the refugees with hotel rooms. The EOC reported it's almost the same cost as keeping them in community centres, or in other public buildings.