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Toronto Mayor John Tory says he expects Ottawa to 'deploy resources' to help refugees

Toronto Mayor John Tory says he expects Ottawa to 'deploy resources' to help refugees

Toronto Mayor John Tory says he supports the federal Liberal government's timeline on resettling refugees in Canada, but says he expects Ottawa and the province to offer the city more resources to help with the effort.

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"I am proud of those who have opened their doors to these families as part of the first wave of resettlement, and I encourage the people of Toronto to find ways to offer their support to these efforts," Tory said in a media release Tuesday. "But it is also clear that this influx of refugees will put a strain on local resettlement agencies and support services across the country."

Canada will accept 10,000 refugees fleeing civil war in Syria by Dec. 31, with another 15,000 arriving by March 2016, according to a revised timeline the Trudeau government released Tuesday.

More resources

Tory said he's confident Ottawa will deploy more resources to help cities who will see large waves of newcomers and to "set them up for long-term success in Canada," he said.

Tory also said the refugees would not affect the wait lists for affordable housing, child care or other municipal services, but did not offer any details.

The mayor said Toronto celebrates diversity and that he expects residents will help refugees integrate. Communities around the Greater Toronto Area — and the country — have seen a backlash of Islamophobia in the wake of the attacks on Paris, with a handful of Muslims being assaulted and threatened and a Peterborough mosque struck by arson.

"I want to send a clear message that racism, violence and intolerance are unacceptable," Tory said.