Forum held in Vancouver as Mayor Robertson offers support for Syrian refugees

WATCH: Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson held a townhall meeting on how to help the growing refugee crisis in Europe. Catherine Urquhart reports.

The City of Vancouver hosted a forum Tuesday night on what can be done here to help Syrian refugees.

Mayor Gregor Robertson says he would like the city to become a sanctuary for people trying to get away from the civil war.

WATCH: Mayor Gregor Robertson offers Syrian refugee help

As the world continues to see troubling images of the Syrian crisis, Robertson wants to submit a motion calling on the federal government to accept 20,000 refugees each year by 2020.

“I think it’s important that we all understand where Canada sits on the global stage here and that we as a city understand what we can do…to make sure that we are supporting refugees globally.”

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READ MORE: Canadian mayors, provinces asking to partner with feds to help Syrian refugees

But are we ready for more refugees? According to a recent Angus Reid poll, 46 per cent of British Columbians said we should take a welcoming approach to people who arrive this way.

While immigration is controlled by the federal government, those attending the City of Vancouver forum were encouraged to get involved and contact various sponsorship groups.

-With files from Catherine Urquhart and Jon Azpiri