British Columbia·Video

Inside the refugee welcome centre at Vancouver International airport

A behind-the-scenes look at what refugees encounter in their first moments on Canadian soil at YVR's welcome centre, one of many set up at airports across Canada.

Arrival centres have been set up at airports across Canada to accommodate the influx of refugees

Inside the refugee arrival centre at YVR

9 years ago
Duration 0:58
A tour of the centre where refugees first arrive at Vancouver's airport.

As thousands of Syrian refugee families are expected to arrive across Canada, bleary-eyed from long flights, many of them are being greeted by volunteers armed with information, toys and kindness. 

At the Vancouver International Airport, the welcome centre for refugees is run by the Community Airport Newcomers Network, which is operated by B.C. social service agency S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

"We're hoping that it's a little comfort that we can offer them, especially a warm welcome to embrace them," said S.U.C.C.E.S.S. executive director Queenie Choo. 

"We couldn't do a lot, but this is our Canadian way to say 'Welcome' to the Syrian refugees."

The welcome centre will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT. Watch the video to take a walk through the centre with our reporter Megan Batchelor.

With files from Megan Batchelor