Hundreds rally at Alberta legislature to support Syrian refugees

Several hundred people, many carrying signs, gathered outside the Alberta legislature Tuesday evening to show support for Syrian refugees displaced by a long and bloody civil war half a world away.

At one point, the crowd chanted in unision: "Refugees, welcome, refugees, welcome," over and over again.

Lenora Yarkie said like many she had been well aware of the growing crisis for months.

"Like many other Canadians," she said, "the photo of that little boy on the beach caused me to just stop a minute and say, 'Oh, my god.' So, I came out tonight just to offer my support, light a candle and be here in solidarity."

Merryn Edwards, one of the rally organizers, said the public clearly supports the idea of allowing more refugees to resettle in Canada.

 She said many people are asking for information about how they can sponsor those displaced by the ongoing civil war.

"The first thing that we wanted to do was acknowledge that, with the exception of indigenous people, we all have come from elsewhere," Edwards said.

Earlier in the day, the Alberta government said it will set aside $100,000 to fund agencies in the province that try to help Syrian refugees arriving in the province.

"As Canada's response becomes clear, the government of Alberta will work with its federal, provincial and community partners to address this international humanitarian crisis," Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement. "Over the longer term, the goal is to ensure supports are in place to help these families successfully settle into life in Alberta."

The province has the capacity to accept more people fleeing the civil war in Syria, said Labour Minister Lori Sigurdson, who suggested the federal government should increase the number of refugees allowed into the country.

"We are working on a plan for Alberta, and you'll be hearing shortly more details about that," Sigurdson said. "We're a rich jurisdiction. We'd like to be able to support vulnerable people."

The province will also send $75,000 to the Red Cross in Europe and will match contributions from Albertans for an additional $75,000. The money sent overseas will help the Red Cross provide food, clothing, water and medical assistance.

Mayors reaction

The mayors of Alberta's two major cities have already weighed in on the growing international crisis.

Calgary's Naheed Nenshi spoke plainly last week, saying Canada is known for its generosity and the federal government should be doing more.

"The fact that we have not even taken the Syrian refugees that we have committed to take, let alone taking many more people who are fleeing the most desperate situation only looking for opportunity in the world, to me is a disgrace," Nenshi said.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson told the Globe and Mail that community groups may have an important role to play.

"Most good things happen from the bottom up and not the top down," Iveson said. "It's easy to blame the federal government, but we have a tradition in this country, and especially in this city, of welcoming newcomers and particularly people coming from tragic, war-torn situations, with open arms and great generosity."