Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan setting up settlement centre to help Syrian refugees

Despite Premier Brad Wall's concerns about Ottawa's Syrian refugee plan, Saskatchewan is setting up a refugee centre to deal with the influx.

Brad Wall says he continues to have concerns about Ottawa's timeframe

Premier Brad Wall has called on Prime Minister Trudeau to suspend his plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by year's end. However, the government will set up a refugee settlement centre despite the concerns, he said Thursday. (Trent Peppler/CBC News)

Despite Premier Brad Wall's concerns about Ottawa's Syrian refugee plan, Saskatchewan is setting up a refugee centre to deal with the influx.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year. Saskatchewan's share might be 2,000.

However, Wall has urged Trudeau to hit the pause button in order to deal with security concerns.

On Thursday, the provincial government announced that despite these concerns, it will set up a refugee settlement centre.

The government says the refugee settlement centre will bring together the appropriate ministries to work with municipalities, settlement groups and other community-based organizations to assist the refugees.

In a news release, Wall said he still thinks the federal timeline is too short. However, he says it's important to make sure the refugees make a successful transition to life in Saskatchewan.