Sarnia council is being asked to dial back the refugee bus pass program on Monday.
Engineering and Operations General Manager David Jackson is recommending a six month program be implemented, to replace the current program which provides a free pass for one year.
Mayor Mike Bradley thinks the suggestion is fair.
"We responded last year, and the community did, to the Ukrainian refugees that were fleeing war and oppression," Bradley said. "I think it's good now to review it and to see how we can make this work in the future because we know there's going to be other conflicts where people are fleeing and they'll want to come to Canada and perhaps to Sarnia."
In the report to council, Jackson said 199 individual special relief passes have been issued since the program was implemented.
"I've met with many of the Ukrainian families in the community and, even if they're not using it, [the bus pass] was seen as a good gesture to try and help them become part of the community, settle in the community, when they don't have a lot of resources," Bradley said.
Although some exceptions were made, the passes were generally limited to people with official refugee status documentation from the federal government.
Jackson said most municipalities don't offer refugee bus pass programs. London and Windsor direct riders to their regular subsidy programs for assistance. The most generous offer discovered was in Ottawa where a six month free pass is given.
"In those communities they would have many more people that use the programs," Bradley said. "Six months seems reasonable to allow people to get on their feet here and find shelter. In our case, with the Ukrainian community, there's been just a tremendous outpouring of support often let by churches, and in turn I think it's important for the city to show that we're going to do our small part to help people become part of the community, to help find work, and to settle here if they wish to."
The program was adopted in May 2022 following a proposal from councillor Brian White.
White said he wanted to make the city more accessible for refugees finding a new home here.
Sarnia council's regular meeting starts at 1 p.m. Monday.