Dozens of Syrian families who have been staying at a Fredericton-area hotel are about to move to four different communities around in New Brunswick.
Ahead of the move, the newcomers were each given a voucher for $150 for clothing and other items from the thrift store Value Village.
“I've seen a few warmer coats and some toys for the kids and you know, just the essentials. People came with very little and so they're really starting from scratch,” says Alex LeBlanc, with the New Brunswick Multicultural Council. “(The refugees are) getting a chance to select clothing styles and sizes that work for them help to give that sense of autonomy back.”
Most of the families arrived in Canada a little more than a month ago and are adjusting to their new surroundings.
“He said for the weather it's fine, they find it a little cold but it's not a big deal, but they find the people are very helpful,” says Ahmad Alhaj Khalid, through an interpreter.
“He said the first thing when he came he saw the police and the airport and he was happy to see them smiling and welcoming everybody there,” says Muhammad Aljneid, through an interpreter.
It's a different reaction from what the refugees experienced back in Syria.
“He said for sure it's different, back home if we saw the police we had to take the other direction and not face them because they would be in trouble,” says Aljneid.
The 36 people taking part in this shopping spree have been staying at a hotel in Mactaquac. From there, they'll be going to their new homes in Saint Stephen, Woodstock, Edmonston, and Bathurst.
Alhaj Khalid is moving to Woodstock where he plans to do what he did back home, grow potatoes.
“He said he'd like to have a job farming,” says Alhaj Khalid.
The refugees say so far they've felt welcomed in their new home, but there have been some barriers around the language.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
