Canadian Armed Forces reservists in Ontario are being offered the task of providing security at camps, bases and other installations where thousands of Syrian refugees will soon be temporarily housed.

But as the federal government prepares to welcome 25,000 Syrians fleeing their war-torn homeland, the potentially dangerous security detail has one part-time soldier’s parent extremely concerned.

“It’s happening way too fast and there are too many unanswered questions,” the parent, who spoke to the Toronto Sun on condition of anonymity, said Friday.

One major concern, the parent said, is the government will have to do some of the health and security screening after refugees arrive in Canada in order to meet its Jan. 1 deadline.

“We already know ISIS has infiltrated other countries by having operatives pose as refugees,” the parent said. “So I don’t understand why our government is in such a rush.”

The parent has no issues with Syrians coming to Canada, but said recent terror attacks in Paris and Mali should make it abundantly clear refugees need to be fully vetted before arriving in Canada.

“Unfortunately, if you question this initiative you are labelled an Islamophobe,” the parent said.

But if even one ISIS member ends up in Canada, the parent said soldiers will be put in harm’s way.

“One of my fears is that they won’t have enough boots on the ground and they’re going to get killed.”

The parent also wants to know if soldiers will be properly armed with live ammunition.

“If they are armed and these kids have to defend themselves and end up shooting someone, will the defence minister support them?”

Locations such as CFB Meaford — one of the locations the government acknowledged may be used for temporary housing — can be fenced in to ensure refugees don’t run off before they’ve been properly vetted, the parent said.

But the parent wonders what will be done to prevent refugees from slipping out of a de-commissioned hospital and disappearing into a city.

The defence department refused to say if military personnel will be used to guard refugees, or whether soldiers would be armed in the event they are used for security, or discuss any potential rules of engagement.

“We suggest that you contact Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada for further details as they are the lead for this initiative,” DND spokesman Dominique Tessier said.

The immigration department also didn’t answer questions about the use of military personnel for security.

“As Minister (John) McCallum has stated, the government is committed to doing this fast, but also doing it right and doing it well,” spokesman Theodora Jean said.

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca