OTTAWA -- The mayor of Ottawa says cities are going to need federal and provincial financial support very soon if they are to house 25,000 refugees over the next few months.
Jim Watson says his city can accomodate between 800 and 2,000 refugees, or 350-to-450 families.
But rental accomodation -- likely at market rates -- is going to be expensive, he says, and other levels of government will have to provide cash to pay for the housing as the refugees arrive, likely within the next two weeks.
Watson adds that while most people in Ottawa support aiding the refugees, there is a small segment of the population voicing criticism and calling on the city to help struggling families already living in the capital before assisting new arrivals.
The mayor says behind-the-scenes logistics in preparation for the refugees' arrival have been frenzied with municipalities, provincial and federal officials in constant contact with each other to ensure they are ready.
With social housing at a premium in Ottawa, Watson says private housing will mainly be used to shelter refugees.
He says some organizations have come forward with offers to provide housing, including a group in the city's west end that has 40 winterized cabins available.
