Syrian refugees arrival in Moncton now expected in January

The "first wave" of Syrian refugees is not expected to arrive in Moncton until January, said Mayor George LeBlanc on Friday.

LeBlanc recently returned from a forum in Ottawa hosted by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston that involved officials from government, community organizations and the private sector who are involved in the humanitarian effort.

Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton are among the 36 places in Canada who will initially receive 25,000 people fleeing war-torn Syria.

It has been unclear when the refugees will arrive. LeBlanc told Information Morning Moncton he isn't expecting any significant number of refugees in Moncton until January.

"We understand that the first refugees that will be arriving in December will be privately sponsored," he said. "That number may or may not be that large. We're not sure at this point in time.

"The government-assisted refugees will be starting in January, and that's what I guess you might call the first wave of people who will be coming," said LeBlanc.

"So I'm expecting that greater number of them will really start arriving in January."

There are still no firm arrival dates and the number of refugees to be placed in each of the New Brunswick cities is not known. LeBlanc is understanding of the lack of information.

"In fairness, it is a very large undertaking right across the entire country and there are a tremendous number of issues to be considered," said LeBlanc.

I understand that it's a moving target.- George LeBlanc, Moncton mayor

"Obviously, it would be better if we had come certainty in these issues, but I understand that it's a moving target," he said. "This is a very significant humanitarian crisis."

LeBlanc's biggest concern once the refugees arrive is finding housing for them in Moncton.

"I think that we're going to be looking at a variety of options. Anyone who is able to put people up in their homes, we expect that we will have a lot of volunteers for that."

"We'll be looking at vacant apartments in the city of Moncton. Any place that is suitable and they'll be able to have a warm and a safe place to live in some reasonable comfort."