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Mayor Jim Watson met Wednesday with religious leaders and community organizations to discuss ways that the City of Ottawa, and its residents, can help Syrian refugees.
The meeting came about a week after Watson sent a letter to Immigration Minister Chris Alexander to say the city is committed to helping with the settlement of those affected by the massive refugee crisis.
Leaders from several faiths, including Rabbi Reuven Balka, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, Rev. Anthony Bailey and Imam Samy Metwally, were expected to attend the meeting, which was held over the supper hour in the mayor’s office. Officials from several community organizations that deal with refugee issues also attended, including the Syrian Association of Ottawa, the Catholic Immigration Centre and the Lebanese and Arab Social Services Agency of Ottawa.
Earlier, Watson told reporters there was a high level of frustration on the part of individuals, churches and community groups who seem to continuously face roadblocks in their efforts to sponsor refugees.
“People are asking me, ‘What can I do as an individual?’ so I’m hoping, as a result of this meeting, we can at least lay out an action plan,” Watson said.
“People want to help, they’re just, at this point, not sure how they can help, so we’re going to try to find those answers for them.”
Watson will join his counterparts from across Canada later this week on a conference call organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The mayors are also working to mobilize public support, urging all citizens to help and donate to local organizations working to assist and provide humanitarian help.
Watson said he has no target number of refugees he’d like to see resettled in Ottawa. “It’s too early to determine that,” he said. “Obviously the need is great.”
Meanwhile, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper is organizing a public meeting next week for residents in his ward to learn more about refugee sponsorship.
“There’s a groundswell of people wanting to help, but they need concrete information on how to do so, and mechanisms to connect with each other,” the councillor said.
The meeting is Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington St. W.
mpearson@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/mpearson78
查看原文...
The meeting came about a week after Watson sent a letter to Immigration Minister Chris Alexander to say the city is committed to helping with the settlement of those affected by the massive refugee crisis.
Leaders from several faiths, including Rabbi Reuven Balka, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, Rev. Anthony Bailey and Imam Samy Metwally, were expected to attend the meeting, which was held over the supper hour in the mayor’s office. Officials from several community organizations that deal with refugee issues also attended, including the Syrian Association of Ottawa, the Catholic Immigration Centre and the Lebanese and Arab Social Services Agency of Ottawa.
Earlier, Watson told reporters there was a high level of frustration on the part of individuals, churches and community groups who seem to continuously face roadblocks in their efforts to sponsor refugees.
“People are asking me, ‘What can I do as an individual?’ so I’m hoping, as a result of this meeting, we can at least lay out an action plan,” Watson said.
“People want to help, they’re just, at this point, not sure how they can help, so we’re going to try to find those answers for them.”
Watson will join his counterparts from across Canada later this week on a conference call organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The mayors are also working to mobilize public support, urging all citizens to help and donate to local organizations working to assist and provide humanitarian help.
Watson said he has no target number of refugees he’d like to see resettled in Ottawa. “It’s too early to determine that,” he said. “Obviously the need is great.”
Meanwhile, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper is organizing a public meeting next week for residents in his ward to learn more about refugee sponsorship.
“There’s a groundswell of people wanting to help, but they need concrete information on how to do so, and mechanisms to connect with each other,” the councillor said.
The meeting is Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington St. W.
mpearson@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/mpearson78
查看原文...
