Ghassan Al Kakouni and Toronto Plaza Hotel

sponsor groups: Refugee Ali Hamoud and his 12 children have been living in the Toronto Plaza Hotel for three weeks, according to CTV. He managed to find a house, but said it was too expensive, so he will continue to stay in the hotel. And it all despite the fact that private refugee sponsor groups say they are prepared to take on these government-sponsored refugees, but have been turned away. Ghassan Al Kakouni, his wife and three children are finally moving into a Mississauga, Ont., apartment after a month in the hotel. Immigration minister John McCallum said Tuesday that connecting government-sponsored refugees with private sponsor groups prepared to receive them "definitely makes sense, but added there are some other issues involved. Al Kakouni said that hotel residents are thankful for all the help they have received with things like English and health care, but that the close quarters are creating tensions for some of the families. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.