CALGARY – Almost two dozen refugees will now call Calgary home, after 20 more were flown in Friday as part of the national refugee program.
The group of twenty touched down at the Calgary International Airport. Calgary has the third largest number of private sponsors in Canada, behind Montreal and southern Ontario.
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society said the city is very well-prepared to welcome the new arrivals.
“Obviously so much love is here,” said Fariborz Birjandian, CEO of Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. “It’s Christmas time and their family is here, the sponsors and the volunteers. They already know they are coming to a great city and great community.”
According to Birjandian, the group is arriving from Beirut, Lebanon and some of them have been without a permanent home for up to three years.
Refugee Rita Kallas explained how her father was killed in a bomb blast, while trying to save others in Syria.
As the refugees arrived at the airport they yelled, “thank you Canada,” and “God bless Canada.”
Watch below: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne greet refugees as they first arrived in Toronto.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley issued a statement welcoming the group to the province.
“To our newest refugees, who might not know a lot about this country or this province: Have no fear. Canada was largely built by the collective aspirations and values of countless newcomers. Our strength is in our diversity, our sense of inclusion and our commitment to stepping up in a humanitarian crisis,” Notley said in the statement.
“Alberta is chilly but our hearts are warm, and Albertans are renowned for their sense of volunteerism and helping out those in need. This province is a place where people from across the world can build a life of promise and opportunity.”
READ MORE: How Alberta is preparing for up to 3,000 Syrian refugees
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson also welcomed refugees who arrived in Edmonton, emphasizing Edmontonians are “renowned for their generosity and welcoming nature.”
“Like many, my family and I are keen to embrace our newest community members,” Iveson said in a statement. “More will arrive soon and there are numerous ways to show support, including volunteering time, donating resources and joining in the discussion with the hashtag #WelcomeRefugees.”
Notley previously said Calgary and Edmonton are expected to take in the bulk of between 2,500 and 3,000 Syrian refugees coming to Alberta, with the remainder spread out over three other cities — Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Red Deer.
Watch below: Canadian reaction after the group of Syrian refugees arrived
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