Mr. Speaker, last September the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced a new partnership between the federal government and non-governmental organizations called the 3/9 pilot project.
The project was designed to help resettle additional refugees in response to the United Nations appeal for help for victims of the Yugoslav conflict. I am proud to say that Canadians answered the call and I will mention two cases only.
The congregation at the Sydney River United Church in Cape Breton helped to bring two Bosnian refugee families to Cape Breton. The Burdzovic family and the Pehar family have both settled in the Ashby area of Sydney.
The citizens of Biggar, Saskatchewan know what it means to offer a helping hand. The town, which has just over 2,000 people, has sponsored the Knezevic family. Local people organized a shower and about 250 people came with gifts. Mr. Knezevic is already working at a local greenhouse.
I commend all the sponsors that extended a helping hand to those in need. I welcome and wish the newcomers well.