The federal government has opened calls for new organizations and cities to apply to receive government-assisted Syrian refugees.
“This is a big deal, a big development,” said Alex Leblanc of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.
Many government-sponsored refugees have been directed to larger centres. Most of the refugees going to rural areas are privately sponsored.
Now, multicultural groups in smaller communities will be considered.
“There are four organizations in St. George, St. Stephen, Woodstock, Carleton County, Edmundston and Bathurst that could apply,” said Leblanc.
Eric Thibodeau of the Northwest Resource Centre for Newcomers says the organizations are ready to go.
“The provincial government is still holding tight that they want 30 per cent to be in the francophone rural areas, so that puts our hopes pretty high that well start seeing immigrants soon,” said Thibodeau.
Trevor Wilkinson of the Multicultural Association of Carleton County is part of the efforts based in Woodstock to resettle Syrian refugees.
He says at one time, between 60 to 80 per cent of immigrants who first settled in the area left after becoming permanent residents.
“Now it’s switched around where 60 to 80 per cent are staying because they say this is our home, this is part of our community,” said Francine Landry, post-secondary education, training and labour minister.
The provincial government says it will do everything it can encourage the settlement of refugees beyond Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton.
“It's the federal responsibility to make sure that those regions are well equipped with all the services the refugees will need in terms of healthcare, education, transportation, and housing is also a key component,” said Landry.
The New Brunswick government is holding firm on its goal of settling 1,500 Syrian refugees.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
