Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A group hoping to bring Syrian refugee families to Naramata continues to await word on when they might arrive.

Laura Gray, spokeswoman for the Naramata Community Syrian Refugee Initiative, said the group has been informed there is a new federal Community Partnership Settlement Plan in place for relocating refugees into smaller communities across Canada. 

In a conversation last week with Chris Friesen, the director of settlement services in B.C., Gray asked when government-assisted refugees could be expected to be relocated out of Metro Vancouver into communities, such as Naramata.

"He said there was a process in place to identify interest and assess services and support in many communities," said Gray. "And he planned to travel soon to Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, the South Okanagan and also the West Kootenays to meet and assess readiness to receive government assisted refugees."

Gray said Friesen has also been made aware of the work the group has done to bring families to the community.

That work, underway since late last year, includes preparing housing at the Naramata Centre.

Grey points to the more than 100 volunteers in the community, the proximity of Naramata Elementary School, bus support to Penticton for middle and high school, local volunteer support with English conversation groups, transportation and shopping, Interior Health’s readiness plan and linkage to South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services, which provides immigrant support services.

"Chris Friesen is aware that we have two smaller, two-bedroom units ready to receive, and one two-bedroom home ready to receive and will shortly have the larger home ready," said Gray. "The total number of persons who could be comfortably accommodated in Naramata Centre properties could be 22 persons or more depending on infants/children. 

Friesen stated the process will still take some time to ensure that government assisted refugees are sent to appropriate communities. said Gray.

As as a result, she suggested that Naramata receive families who are still living in hotel rooms without cooking facilities.

"This metro Vancouver housing issue has prevented more refugees from arriving into Vancouver," said Gray. "I offered to provide photos or video of the housing offered by the Naramata Centre, which was declined for now." 

"We wait, knowing there are other communities across Canada, also working hard to receive Syrian families into their new lives in Canada," said Gray.