The anonymous author of the flyer argues crime and devalued property values could result as the centre ramps up to full capacity of 100 new immigrants and suggests residents phone Duvall, the city and SISO to lodge their concerns.

“I’m shocked this would happen in 2010,” Duvall said, calling the move “gutless.”

The Ward 7 (central Mountain) councillor said as of Monday he had received 16 calls, most of them angry with the anonymous writer.

New Dawn Reception Centre, located on Rosedene Avenue in a century-old mansion, is the most recent initiative of Settlement and Integration Services Organization. It purchased the property from Christ Church Unity last year and housed its first immigrant family in September. Through its humanitarian agreements, Canada selects about 7,500 government assisted refugees every year, of which about 400 are destined to start their new lives in Hamilton, which stands out with its diversity and relatively low cost of living. The centre offers refugees a place to stay for a short time, about two weeks on average, while they get started in their new country.

“It’s a great organization that’s helping our new immigrants,” Duvall said of SISO.

SISO executive director Morteza Jafarpour said his group has been quite open about the New Dawn Centre, holding three open houses last year to let the neighbourhood know what would be happening at the centre.

“I think any fair-minded person would say we’ve done a more-than-reasonable job of communicating,” Jafarpour said.

He said he believes the flyer was written by someone trying to deliberately provoke nearby residents, though he’s not sure why.

“We haven’t experienced any hostility in the neighbourhood,” he said. “I have serious doubts this reflects the thoughts of the community.”