Friday evening’s ‘Humanity Washed Ashore’ demonstration along Macleod Trail attempted to improve the contributions of the federal government, opposition parties, and all Canadians to the relief effort assisting Syrians as they attempt to escape their war ravaged county.

Organizers of the rally want Canada to work alongside its European counterparts and accept more refugees from Syria. The group also wants Canada to offer financial aid to Syria’s neighbours that are currently offering temporary asylum to the displaced refugees.

On Friday, Mayor Nenshi slammed the Harper government’s handling of the refugee situation and questioned the impact military involvement is having in thwarting the actions of ISIS.

“Has the refugee crisis gotten better since we started the airstrikes?” asks Nenshi. “We have tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of desperate people. (Canada) is known as being a safe haven and we have to be able to do that.”

Syrian Canadians hope recently surfaced horrific images illustrating the dangers Syrians face as they attempt to escape will prove to be a turning point in the crisis and prompt change.

Mmembers of the Syrian community, faith leaders, immigration lawyers and politicians addressed the gathering.

With files from CTV's Shaun Frenette