Naramata and Summerland refugee groups coordinate efforts with MP Cannings

PENTICTON – Two refugee support groups in the South Okanagan are going to work together with help from local MP Dick Cannings.

Representatives from the Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative and the Summerland Refugee Group meet with the South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP this week to discuss refugee issues in the two communities, according to a media release.

Laura Gray with the Refugee Initiative says they want to work together to support common efforts with regard to immigrating Syrian refugees.

“Although Naramata has an offer of accommodation given by the Naramata Centre Board, with unknown and indefinite arrival details, this offer may become more time sensitive," Gray says in the release. "We hope to proactively clarify the process of application made and what to expect in terms of allocation of refugees to rural areas.” 

Cannings has offered his assistance in clarifying the process, she says.

Gray says patience is necessary for those wishing to to see Syrian refugees make the area home, noting many people are working on many levels as they “wait and see what decision is made for rural B.C.”

The Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative has a website for those looking for updates updates.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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