While the federal government has said it would be scaling back the ambitious promise to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees to the country, aid groups in Calgary are still full steam ahead in plans to take their share of the migrants.

The Trudeau government promised to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada by the end of the year, but officials have now decided that figure was too ambitious and would plan on 10,000 by December 31.

However, that doesn’t mean that Canada will be taking in fewer refugees. The remaining 15,000 will be scheduled to arrive in early 2016.

Meanwhile, the work of groups like the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is still moving forwards, with the group estimating the city will welcome approximately 1,300 people in the coming weeks.

City officials say there are approximately 2,500 vacant rental suites and they’re looking at securing some flexible leases with the landlords of those units as well as lowered rental rates.

Planners are still struggling with how to accommodate for the discounts, and wonder how much support will be coming from Ottawa to help out.

“We are really ready. The only challenge we may face is the housing and if we solve the housing, and I know the mayor has taken some leadership in talking with the minister and if that issue is resolved, we will be fine,” says Fariborz Birjandian with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi is also convinced that with the federal government’s help, it will be easier for the city to accept the influx.

“If we get the housing supplements right with the government, then we firmly believe that our private housing market in Calgary can absorb these folks,” he said on Tuesday.

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is also seeking volunteers to help settle families in the city.

Those volunteers will befriend the new Calgarians and help them settle into Canadian society.

For information on how you can become a volunteer, you can go to their website.