The Syrian refugee crisis took up part of the agenda on the final day of a municipal convention in Brandon.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger told municipal leaders the province has informed the federal government the province will
need help once Ottawa's promised 25-thousand Syrian refugees begin to arrive.

Selinger told the Association of Manitoba Municipalities that housing will be one of the biggest challenges because in some circumstances rents will be prohibitive.

He says it isn't clear whether military bases will be required, but it's something he would like to avoid if possible because he'd
prefer to settle people in permanent locations.

He says the refugees could be a potential boon for rural areas suffering from population loss or economic challenges. He says many
of the refugees are well-educated professionals and are eager to settle in a new community.