Despite concerns, Saskatchewan ‘Refugee Settlement Centre’ coming

REGINA – Despite calling for a suspended deadline for Canada’s refugee intake, the Saskatchewan government is preparing to make room for around 850 Syrian refugees in the coming months.

On Thursday, Premier Brad Wall announced the province will set up a refugee settlement centre to ease their transition to life on the prairies.

The centre will not house refugees, but rather be a coordination point for all the agencies working on their needs.

A similar working group was established for the Northern Saskatchewan wildfires this past summer.

“We have a public service with an inter-ministry coordinative effort that’s been very effective in the past on major issues and so we’re reactivating that group,” said Wall. “As you imagine we’re going to have social services involved, health involved, government relations because we need to be working closely with the four cities.”

Those cities will include Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

The Premier said the centre will be a place for officials to meet, resolve problems and remove barriers to settlement. It’s something the opposition also supports.

“I’m of the view that Saskatchewan and Canada needs to do its part to welcome refugees. So this centre, if it can do that, that’s a good thing,” said NDP Leader Cam Broten.

The province is still waiting on the federal government to know exactly when Saskatchewan should expect refugees, but they want to be ready whenever that day comes.

“No one should doubt our desire to help refugees,” Wall said. “We need to ensure their settlement in our province is successful. I remain concerned that a rushed political deadline could compromise the success of the refugee resettlement effort.”

READ MORE: Sask. Premier calls on PM to suspend Syrian refugee plan

Wall also announced the creation of a new Refugee Settlement Committee of cabinet, chaired by Immigration Minister Jeremy Harrison. Other members include Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter, Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer, Education Minister Don Morgan, Health Minister Dustin Duncan, and Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell.