Kurdish and Canadian flags are exchanged as fallen veteran and Wheatley native John Gallagher's body is brought to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on November 20, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)Kurdish and Canadian flags are exchanged as fallen veteran and Wheatley native John Gallagher's body is brought to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on November 20, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

CK Ready For Syrian Refugees

Chatham-Kent officials want to make it clear they're open to accepting any number of refugees to the area.

As Canada plans to welcome refugees from Syria, CK council has reaffirmed the municipality's doors are open.

The move was initiated by councillor Trevor Thompson, who was inspired after attending the repatriation of John Robert Gallagher.

"It was really heartwarming to see how many people from all walks of life and demographics really come together and say 'we are a proud people, we are free, and we recognize the hard work other people do to keep it that way.'"

Thompson admits he's not sure how constituents will react to the news, but hopes residents follow in council's footsteps.

"When you talk to some people and see it on social media, there's so much misinformation out there about what it means to be a refugee and an immigrant. Just to set some of that right and saying we're open and inclusive is important."

Thompson adds the number of refugees coming from Syria is based on population, and says CK could be looking at at least 75 new immigrants from Syria. More details about specific numbers are expected to come out in the near future.

Windsor has already said they'll be accepting about 160 Syrian refugees.

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