Windsor City Hall. (Photo by Alexandra Latremouille)Windsor City Hall. (Photo by Alexandra Latremouille)
Chatham

Windsor Welcomes 62 Syrian Refugees

Windsor has already welcomed 62 Syrian refugees this week, but it's unknown how many more are coming and when they will arrive.

All of the newcomers are here because of private sponsorships, a process that started many months ago.

The feds have committed to accepting 25,000 government-sponsored Syrian refugees, and another 10,000 through private sponsorships.

City commissioner for community development Jelena Payne says 2,000 government-sponsor Syrian refugees are coming to Canada this month.

"They could be going anywhere in Canada. We have not received information yet on who and when we can expect in the Windsor-Essex area," says Payne.

The city says it can handle housing for up to 300 refugees the way it normally does throughout the year. Anything above that will prove to be a challenge.

"If that number is close to 300, 400, 500 or more then we will probably need to implement our emergency management plan," Payne says. "That's where things like vacant buildings, arenas may come into play."

Mayor Drew Dilkens is in Ottawa right now getting more information from the federal government on when and how many Syrian refugees are expected in Windsor.

Anyone interested in donating or helping the refugees is asked to call 311.

Read More Local Stories