Fredericton is 1 of 36 destinations for Syrian refugees

The executive director of the Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) has confirmed Fredericton is one of 36identified "destination" cities for Syrian refugees.

LisaBamford-DeGante says the MCAFhas a contract with Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada to provide assistance.

"We have contracts with them to deliver resettlement services for government-assisted refugees we are one of the 36."

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At a news conference on Tuesday, the federal government announced it has delayed its deadline to welcome 25,000 refugees to Canada,setting the end of February, 2016 as a new target date.

While unveiling details of the massive resettlement program Tuesday, the government said it will identify all 25,000 selected refugees byDec. 31, 2015, but only 10,000 will arrive by year's end.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister JohnMcCallum saidthe extra time was needed to give host communities more time to prepare to receive the refugees.

"There are a lot of moving parts here," saidMcCallumat a news conference, "so we are happy to take a little more time because that allows us to be more prepared."

Bamford-DeGantesays she still doesn't knowwhen the refugees will arrive, but expects to get more details soon.

In the meantime,the multicultural association says it's ready to accept the newcomers.

I think this can be our finest hour.- Lisa Bamford-De Gante, Multicultural Association of Fredericton

"So many people have come forward and offered so many resources," saidBamford-DeGante.

She saysshe's been heartened by the local response to the crisis, with 39 people who speak Arabic having volunteeredtheir services to help the new arrivals.

"People who can speak Arabic will be important because people are arriving based on their need for resettlement, not based on any assessment of language skills, so we anticipate that there will be peoplewhowill not have a high level of proficiency in English and French."

The MCAFis also looking for people to helpthe refugees become acquainted withthe city once they arrive.

Bamford-De Gante calls them "First Fredericton Friends."

"They [volunteers] will have a chance to really know the new arrivals and share information and introduce them to the community, and let them know they are welcome here," she said.

There will be information sessions on Dec.1 and Dec.8 for anyone interestedin being a First Fredericton Friend.

She says there are a number of groups working together to make the resettlement happen as smoothly as possible.

"The city has really stepped forward and set up a committee working specifically on a welcoming response to resettling Syrian refugees," said Bamford-De Gante.

Finding housing isone of the first challenges, and Bamford-De Gant says her group is working ona mapping of housing resources available.

"Housing capacity both with families who've come forward, orindividuals who've come forward with available housing, and also with NBHousing, with Social Developmentand with large apartment owners, looking at furnished and unfurnished apartment availability."

She says the province is working with schools toensure Syrian children are welcome in the school system, "that there are resources there for them,that students and teachers have some awareness of Syrian culture and are able to welcome and integrate and help the new children to participate."

"I think this can be our finest hour. Fredericton does this very well,"