Photo by Jim ArmstrongPhoto by Jim Armstrong
Midwestern

Meaford Training Centre Not Needed For Refugees

The military training base in Meaford won’t be providing temporary home for any Syrian refugees.

Personnel at the Meaford training centre, Petawawa, Trenton and Base Borden have learned they will not be receiving refugee families after all.

They've been informed that the military bases at Valcartier, Quebec and Kingston have enough capacity to house the refugees.

Captain Jonathan Link, the public affairs officer for Joint Task Force Central, says the winterized cabins set up at the 4th Division Training Centre for the refugees will remain in place for other uses.

So will the access ramps, safety fences, extra lighting and internal heating units for the building and the recreation shelter.

Captain Link says similar accommodations at Petawawa, Trenton and Base Borden for the refugee families will also remain in place.

"They can now be used for year-round and inclement weather training. They can also act as overflow temporary accommodations for Canadian Armed Forces personnel," says Link.

Personnel at Meaford and five other military bases began building the homes last November after learning they were on the list of temporary homes for Syrian refugees.

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