LETHBRIDGE – The city of Lethbridge is expecting to welcome close to 200 Syrian refugees over the next six weeks as one of only five cities in Alberta that will be accepting refugees.
On Tuesday, key players from the city, including Alberta Health Services and other agencies, launched a steering committee group focused on creating a strategy.
“What the city has done is called together an initial meeting of agency and community leaders in our community to make the decision to work together in a systematic way to lay out the carpet for Syrian people to come to Lethbridge,” said Diane Randell, from the city’s community and social development department.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is refusing to bend on his promise to accept 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year, even after some provincial and municipal leaders said they were worried about security.
“So we know that it’s not the people wandering Europe with their cellphones. We know that’s not where people are coming from. They are coming from refugee camps in countries surrounding Syria. It’s important for people to know that refugee does not equal terrorist,” explained Randell.
Lethbridge Immigrant Services said the refugees coming to Canada will undergo three separate screening processes before they come to Lethbridge.
“When we hear immigrants are being fast tracked, it doesn’t mean they are glossing over their security checks,” said Sarah Amies, with Lethbridge Immigrants Services. “It means they have twice as many people on the ground in countries neighbouring Syria to process people coming here.”
The city said plans are in place when refugees arrive and will host more education seminars for the public.
“My suggestion to folks is—in terms of countering negativity in social media and around the coffee pot at work—is to provide reality and positivity and education when we can,” added Amies.
Amies said refugees are fleeing the same terror that was behind the attacks last week and Canada needs to reach out.
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