Wind Mobile offering free phones, service to Syrian refugees

Wind Mobile says they are teaming up with a local group to assist Syrian refugee families in their transition to life in Canada with free cell phones and service.

In a news release, the mobile carrier saysHyla Mobile and Lifeline Syria are helping with this initiative that aims to make the transition process a smoother one for newcomers to Canada.

"Canadians are responding with compassion and generosity to the plight of Syrians who have been forced to flee their homeland. We want to do what we can to help," said Jennifer Douglas, Wind Mobile's vice-president of marketing.

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On Wind'swebsite, the wireless provider says they are "committed to providing the basic necessity of mobile communication to incoming refugee families embarking on a new life here in Canada."

"Syrian refugee families arriving in the Greater Toronto Area over the course of the next two years will be eligible to receive a mobile phone and two years of Wind service, free of charge."

The other company involved,Hyla,is a Texas-based businessdedicated to extending the life of mobile phones.

It's unclear whether the phones made available to refugees will be new or refurbished.

On Monday, Ontario announced plans to take in approximately 4,000 out of the 10,000 Syrian refugees coming to Canada by the end of the year. Thousands more are expected to arrive in 2016 under the federal government's refugee plan.

Lifeline Syria has played an active role in the relocation efforts. The non-profit organization says they're hoping to bring in 1,000 Syrian refugees to the Greater Toronto Area with help from private sponsors.

"We commend WindMobile for helping with our efforts to provide for the needs of the Syrian refugees who are coming to Canada. By giving them a way to stay connected, Wind Mobile will help these new arrivals settle in to life in their new adopted country," said Ratna Omidvar, chair of Lifeline Syria.

For more information on the campaign, visit Wind Mobile's official website.