The previous Canadian government, led by Stephen Harper, had tightened the rules for refugee settlement-though it had resettled more than 2,000 Syrian refugees from January 2014 until Trudeau’s election in October.
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The more than 160 Syrians who arrived from Beirut, the Lebanese capital, are part of the 25,000 refugees Trudeau’s government has pledged to accept by the end of February.
We get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily hard situations.
Global News, CBC and others were on hand at the press avail.
“Winter is something you have to get ready for – you need a good coat and good shoes”, he said in a telephone call from Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories, where he is a member of the world’s northernmost mosque.
Stefania Dunlop, executive director of Ahlan Syria, (Welcome Syria), arrived at the airport on Thursday evening with 200 gift bags for the new arrivals, everything from toiletries for the adults to friendship bracelets and toys for children.
Canada’s openness to this issue stands in contrast to the U.S. as they have been unenthusiastic about taking in refugees into their country.
The plane full of refugees landed just before midnight in Toronto as other privately sponsored refugees arrived on commercial flights, Reuters reported.
Syrian refugees begin to arrive in Canada at Pearson International Airport in Mississauga on Dec, 10, 2015.
Youssef said refugee sponsors were told to wait until Friday morning to meet the new arrivals, but she couldn’t resist the opportunity to see them earlier, even if it meant waiting for hours at their hotel.
“Samearn standing guard over the Canadian citadel of democracy is about as graphic an illustration of the contribution refugees make to Canada”, said Beatty, who believes that despite the “best friendship” that exists between Canada and the USA, there are “profound” cultural differences in which Canadians view refugees as more welcome additions to their nation’s identity. Majority are being sponsored by private groups and citizens. Many also expressed pride in how the country was opening its doors to the refugees.
Approximately 800 refugees destined for Canada are being screened by security and health officers each day in Lebanon and Jordan. In times of crisis in decades past, Canada resettled refugees quickly and in large numbers.
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Air Canada has informed the Canadian government that it would help bring refugees to the country.
