Ottawa·Video

Syrian refugees in Ottawa throw snowballs, thank 'handsome' PM

Some 450 recently-arrived Syrian refugees are staying in two downtown Ottawa hotels and a Catholic Centre for Immigrants welcome house as they await permanent housing.

450 refugees recently-arrived refugees in Ottawa await permanent housing

Syrian refugees 'very happy' in Ottawa

9 years ago
Duration 1:18
There are 450 Syrian refugees living in Ottawa hotels after arriving in Canada. CBC Ottawa spoke to some about their experience since arriving.

Some 450 recently-arrived Syrian refugees are staying in two downtown Ottawa hotels and a Catholic Centre for Immigrants welcome house as they await permanent housing.

More than half are under the age of 15, and less than five per cent of the adults in the group can speak English or French. Settlement workers are offering orientation sessions for adults and English classes to children.

CBC Ottawa's Judy Trinh spoke to some of the refugees about their first impressions of Ottawa. Watch the video above.