More on the Syrian refugee crisis, as Premier Christy Clark’s comments suggesting that rural BC would likely be the settling place for the bulk of refugees has seen a number of responses including several petitions.
But the Premier’s comments have been taken largely out of context says Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, who says her understanding of rural refugee resettling was less concentrated cities towards the interior like Kelowna, Kamloops or Prince George:
“What I understand, its places like Kelowna where you have all the same types of assistance. You have universities, healthcare, transportation, and affordable housing that the refugees will need to help them move forward. Small town, rural BC? You probably don’t have that to the extent that is needed.”
According to Barnett, the province is looking at areas with education, healthcare, housing and transportation infrastructure that would help get refugees on their feet in the most economical way possible.