The BBC report seems to simultaneously dispute and confirm CBC’s report, quoting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying he rejected the idea of “exclusions” for single men, while Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Minister John McCallum declared, “We want them to have a roof over their head, and the right support”.
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“In the wake of horrific events like the recent attacks in Paris, as we renew our resolve to work with the global community to help prevent such attacks, and as we reaffirm our steadfast participation in the coalition against ISIL, we must also recommit to building a world where diversity and difference are promoted and celebrated”, he said.
Canada says it will accept 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016.
In a statement released by Rideau Hall, Johnston said more than 100 people from the public and private sectors, as well as members of civil society, will gather to discuss supporting the settlement and integration process.
Heterosexual, single adult men will only be allowed under Canadian federal sponsorship if they are accompanying their parents as part of a family unit.
We have talked about this amongst our friends and neighbours and the majority feel as we do, that bringing to Canada 25,000 Syrian refugees is wrong and has the distinct possibility of putting our country in an even greater danger than at present.
Canada will screen all 25000 refugees overseas for health and security purposes.
The with first wave of refugees are expected to arrive in early December and will be housed temporarily in former military barracks, vacant hospitals and hotels, as well as with families who have volunteered to sponsor a refugee or family.
What that all means for United Nations timelines is unclear; McDonnell said the original plan had been to have all files to the Canadians by December 20. What it would take to engage them in that role is unclear.
The Liberal government is giving $10 million to the United Nations refugee agency as part of the program to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees to Canada over the next few months.
The government estimated the cost of the plan will be CA678 million over six years.
Of those, 40 percent will be sponsored by individuals and community groups, and the rest by the government. Once Syrians arrive, they will go through border controls, and after that can move around freely.
In related news, Gov. Gen. David Johnston has announced he will host a forum next week in Ottawa to discuss welcoming refugees.
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Meanwhile, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau said $100 million will be used “to address urgent humanitarian needs” among those displaced from Syria and neighbouring countries in the Middle East.
