Syrian refugees welcomed to B.C. despite Paris attacks

The terror attacks in Paris have not discouraged thousands in B.C.from reaching out to Syrian refugees heading to the province, with one local dentisteven offeringfree dental work.

While some have senthate messages online, and a mosque burns in Ontario, others are reaching out with job and housing offers.

• Browse all CBC's B.C. refugee stories
• Syrian refugee security screening 'paramount,' says Health Minister Jane Philpott
• Belgian ambassador encourages Justin Trudeau to stick with air strikes against ISIS

If his professional association will allow it, aNorth Vancouver dentist is offering tofix teeth for free.

Open arms and big smiles

"Initial contact is the key. I just think that's the way. Open arms and big smiles," saidCyrusAliAkbari, who recalls his own experience coming from Iran to Canada.

"Integration takes time.Everyone of us hasto chip in. We have to help them.The more we do, the more they can do their best to help others who helped them in the beginning," said Akbari.

Help still being offered

The dentist is one of thousands in B.C. who have reached out to offer help, pledging housing, jobs and other services.

"It hasn't abated since the unfortunate situation in Paris," said Chris Friesen, director of settlement service for the Immigrant Services Society (ISS) of B.C., before heading into an emergency planning meeting Monday.

ISS is working on the logistics of moving people into temporary receiving centres as early as December.

Everyone of us have to chip in. We have to help them.The more they can do their best to help others who helped them in the beginning.- Cyrus Ali Akbari, North Vancouver dentist who wants to offer free care.

"We continue to see high numbers of people come to our website over 30,000 now and we have over 1,000 volunteers and 375 housing leads and close to 50 employers willing to offer employment," he said.

Many of those who are reaching out are recent immigrantswho remember the journey.

They say the Syrian newcomers will need help, advice and patience.

LendroPereiraandLiviaFernandesarrived in Canada last month from Brazil.

They browsed pamphlets and asked questions at the Canadian Immigration Job Fair today in Vancouver.

Culture shock

"We came here to get some information," said Pereira, who advised the Syrian refugees to work on language skills and never stop searchingfor answers.

"The biggest challenge is the language and also the culture. There is a culture shock. It's kind of hard."