Multicultural council launches online welcome mat for Syrians

The managing director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council has started a campaign to counter the negative comments he's been hearing about Syrian refugees.

Alex LeBlanc says he doesn't think the comments accurately represent the views of most New Brunswickers.

He says they might scare prospective immigrants who have lived through horrible experiences in recent years, and are overdue for a new beginning.

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LeBlanc, in an interview with Information Morning Fredericton, said his #Restore Hope campaign is about putting out the online welcome mat.

I think this petition is a much more appropriate welcome mat.- Alex LeBlanc, N.B. Multicultural Council

"We wanted to create a space online where people could show their solidarity and support, because Syrians will be looking up New Brunswick," he said. 

"They will be researching where they are going, just as you or I would, and it would be very disappointing if the only first impression they had was the negative comments at the bottom of news clips."

LeBlanc wants to remind people of the province's long history of resettling refugees, something he says is reflected in the province's motto, Spem Reduxit, or Hope Restored.

"It's incumbent upon New Brunswickers to remember our motto and to make it real again."

The council has set up an online petition on its website and shared on change.org, which LeBlanc says has attracted more than 400 signatures in less than 48 hours. 

"What's overwhelming to me, when you look at the comments section on this, it's a refreshing contrast to the comments sections you see at the bottom of news sites. I think this petition is a much more appropriate welcome mat."

Alex Scholten of New Maryland left a comment stating: "I'm signing because my family once needed help when they landed in Canada (as most of our families likely did), and this help was instrumental for them to build a better life. It's time to pay it forward so others can build a better life in N.B. as well."

LeBlanc said he was moved to do something after watching support for Syrian refugees plummet due to fear after the deadly Paris attacks. He feels those fears are largely unwarranted.

"Even the president of France just yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to bringing in 30,000 refugees. I think if the target of that kind of violence can recognize the flaws in those arguments, then it's incumbent on us all to look at the facts." 

Over 50 per cent of the refugees are under the age of 17, according to LeBlanc, "So we're going to see a lot of younger families coming to New Brunswick."

LeBlanc says he hopes to "change the narrative," so these people feel welcome when they arrive in the province.