First wave of Syrian refugees welcomed to Manitoba

WINNIPEG — Government officials welcomed the first wave of Syrian refugees to Manitoba Monday.

Two families landed in Winnipeg Saturday. One is being privately sponsored in Altona while the Albakar’s will reside in Winnipeg. The family of eight spent two years in a refugee camp in Lebanon before coming to Canada.

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Thirty-five more refugees from Syria are expected to land in Winnipeg Monday.

Through a translator, the father, Yaser, thanked Canada.

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The Premier, Mayor of Winnipeg and federal representatives held a news conference at Welcome Place Monday to officially welcome the first wave.

“With the exception of the indigenous people we all came from somewhere else,” Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr said. “We understand that what we share as Canadians is the freedom to be the best we can be.