The city is sending a last-minute resolution to next week's gathering of municipal officials from across the province asking for the federal government to step up its work in settling Syrian refugees.
Coun. Brian Skakun initiated the emergency resolution which received unanimous support to send forward to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver.
"I really think the federal government has dropped the ball on this," said Skakun.
The resolution calls for the federal government to "review and implement significant increases and expedited processing times for its humanitarian aid and resettlement commitments" as well as for the government to regularly report out on its progress to the public.
Additionally, the resolution asks the federal government to partner with the United Nations or other humanitarian organizations to address the needs of Syrians inside Syria and to reach out to local governments and other community groups that want to help with relocation efforts.
The plight of Syrian refugees has moved many people to action following the publication of the photo of three-year-old Alan Kurdi's body washed up on a Turkey beach.
At last week's Federation of Canadian Municipalities' board meeting in Fredericton, the group passed their own emergency recommendation related to Syrian refugees.
Coun. Garth Frizzell was among the directors who unanimously approved the call to co-ordinate the efforts of cities and communities across the country to support local initiatives already underway.
"Prince George will join communities across the country to play a key role in an effort to resettle families feeling violence in Syria," Frizzell said in a press release.
"Through our co-ordinated actions we can maximize the size and speed of Canada's response."
The FCM decision launched the creation of a task force on refugee resettlement, which will help municipalities share information and best practices as well as help co-ordinate with provincial, federal and territorial counterparts.
