Antigonish hopes Syrian refugees pave way for more immigrants

Antigonish's deputy mayor says she sees the community's efforts asa chance to build a diverse future.

Laurie Boucher says the communityneeds diversity. Up until now, nearly all of Antigonish's families fromforeign countrieswere connected to the university, she said.

In 2011, fewer than 200 people in the town spoke a language other than English at home, according toStatistics Canada.

"We need people to come here," Boucher said.

"We need people to want to come here. It's such a great community. We know that if they come, they'll stay."

'We want people to come'

In 2011 the most recent statisticthe population of Antigonish was reported at 5,084. That number doubles when university is in session and students are in town, Boucher said.

She said shehopes the arrival of new families will start a chain reaction.

"If we bring Syrians here, there's more chance of maybe more immigrants coming here. Immigrants work very hard. They want to succeed," Boucher said.

"They put a lot out to get here. We want people to come to Antigonish."

Responding to critics

Volunteer groups in Antigonish hoped to raise $30,000 in one year, but in 11months, theyraised more than $173,000.

"The biggest thing is how it brought the community together and how everybody started to work together to make this come true," Boucher said.

She saidthe town has heard little criticism about the plan to bring a number of Syrian families to the area. She says many refer to the town's history when talking about their arrival.

"If people would just think that Antigonish would not be what it is if the Scots didn't come over. Canada wouldn't be what it is if we didn't have immigrants. We need immigrants to sustain our population."

So far, the entire initiative tofundraiseand support the Syrian families has been done by volunteers. The town hasn't been asked to do anything.

Simple gestures of welcome

Fran Wittgensis taking an active role to helpwith Antigonish's immigrant families. For the last four years, she's organized potluck dinners featuring food from around the world.

"We just thought we needed a place to come together," she said. The meals include music from a variety of countries.

People in the community are going out of their way to providesimple gestures to make the new families feel welcome, in hopes that they'll stay,she said.

"I heard that one family was shopping at the Superstore and they saw the Syrian family, and they offered them a ride home."

For Boucher, this is one of the best things that could have happened to the town in years.

"It is the one element that will sustain Nova Scotia in generalnot just Antigonishand let it grow."