A London MP has asked the federal government to investigate a complaint signed by more than 20 Syrian refugees who say they were mistreated by the city’s main settlement agency.

Staff at the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) — the agency that settled more than 900 Syrians since December — “did not do their duties as they should,” states the letter.

The complaint goes on to list four examples in which the centre “failed to take care . . . and help,” said the refugees who signed it:

The hotel many were placed in was understaffed and inadequate

Medical services were not provided in a timely manner, leaving many kids very ill — “some we would argue were at risk of death”

The food was “borderline unsuitable for human consumption”

People have been forced into apartments, often too small for their families, without any choice of location

“There are serious concerns in the letter,” said Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal MP for London North Centre. “Is there validity there or not? I don’t take these concerns lightly. . . . I’ve forwarded it to the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and they are looking at this.”

The petition begins with a note of appreciation, stating those who signed it are grateful to the country and to Canadians for removing them from the harsh circumstances and providing them “means to start a new life with more safety and opportunity.” The letter then goes on to outline the issues they are concerned about.

“They are not upset at the Canadian government. They don’t want to complain because they are grateful, but they are really upset with the way the CCLC has dealt with them,” said Londoner Mariam Hamou, who has been involved with volunteer efforts to welcome the refugees since January, and has heard of the rumblings.

During recent months, the Free Press has interviewed several Syrian refugees for various stories. None expressed any of the concerns raised in the letter.

Valy Marochko, director of the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, said staff and volunteers did their best to meet the needs of newcomers.

“We tried to please. We listened to any issues. We always do,” he said. “We have been monitored very strictly by the Ministry (of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). I don’t know why this is coming up now.”

Marochko said meals were mainly provided by a London Middle Eastern restaurant, but some people didn’t like it because it was “Canadian Middle Eastern.”

Medical services included special clinics put on by the London-Middlesex Health Unit and access to the London Intercommunity Health Centre, a couple of blocks away from the Cross Cultural Learner Centre.

Housing was a scramble with so many newcomers arriving at once, Marochko said. “An apartment stays on the market for a very limited period of time. Some friends were able to get into an area and other people want to get into the same area but time was limited.”

All the hotels are franchises with standards, he said.

“We were helping 1,000 people. If we have two per cent that are not happy, I’m really sorry for that, of course.”