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After much anticipation, Saskatoon can expect to welcome 14 Syrian refugees this weekend according to a Saskatchewan MP.
“My office is looking and we’re thinking if they land Friday in Toronto the earliest is the weekend but we’re trying to get a grasp on that,” said Conservative MP for Saskatoon-Grasswood Kevin Waugh.
In an email, Waugh stated the next plane from Syria to Canada will carry 224 Syrian Refugees with a majority, 109, staying in Ontario.
Currently Saskatchewan expects to receive 800 to 850 Syrian refugees split amongst Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert. But Waugh said after speaking to the Open Door Society, he was told Saskatchewan could accommodate up to 2,000 refugees.
Waugh said he’s heard from other Conservative MPs in Saskatchewan who are offering up their community to help settle refugees.
“I’ve heard from other centres that because of the oil slowdown there is room for housing and there could be as many as six to seven communities added to the list of refugee settlements including Estevan,” Waugh said.
The 14 set to arrive this weekend are all privately-sponsored refugees with different religious groups in Saskatoon, plus the Open Door Society. Of the 224 flying in on Friday, Alberta is expected to receive 22, B.C. 25, Manitoba 17, New Brunswick 24, Newfoundland and Labrador five, Nova Scotia five and Quebec three.
