CALGARY – Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Tuesday he supports the decision by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to delay a promise to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees, if it helps to make their transition to Canada smoother.
The Liberal government will not meet its Dec. 31 deadline. The new target is to bring 10,000 people to Canada by year’s end and the remainder in the first two months of 2016.
READ MORE: Canada to miss target of resettling 25,000 Syrian refugees by year’s end
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Calgary is expected to welcome about 1,300 refugees, and Mayor Nenshi is somewhat concerned about finding them housing they can afford.
He said he is confident the federal government will come through, but urged Ottawa to boost housing allowances for the refugees so they can afford high rates in Calgary’s private rental market.
“We think there are about 2,500 rental apartments on the market right now that are vacant, (and) many landlords have stepped up with rental discounts, flexible leases and so on,” Mayor Nenshi said. “We think that the private market should absorb all of these.”
READ MORE: Sixteen Syrian refugees arrive in Calgary
A task force of local organizations is already in place, to help with things like health care, employment and education.
For those wondering how they can help, the mayor encouraged Calgarians to sponsor a family, make a donation or volunteer.
You can find more information here.
READ MORE: How Alberta is preparing for up to 3,000 refugees
With files from The Canadian Press
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