A second flight is set to arrive Saturday in Montreal.
Advertisement
The arrival of the military flight carrying 163 refugees stands in stark contrast to the USA, which plans to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year and where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump caused a worldwide uproar with a proposal to temporarily block Muslims from entering the U.S.
Nevertheless, when asked whether the refugee plan was too rushed, she said, “we can wait for things to be flawless but you can’t leave people to continue being vulnerable”.
As the government aims to bring 10,000 refugees to Canada by end of the year and an additional 15,000 by the end of February, 400 Arabic and Kurdish interpreters will be stationed at multiple points of intake in Ontario, Quebec and overseas to facilitate their resettlement.
Canada is preparing to receive its first airlift of Syrian refugees, who will arrive in Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Thursday night. “It truly is a non-partisan, national project”.
Mazen says they never felt safe in Syria, not even in Egypt but when they arrived in Canada they felt at peace.
Nov 26: The federal government announces a $100-million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help fleeing Syrians.
11,300: Refugees the previous Conservative government committed to accepting, initially by the end of 2018. The Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are working on a campaign to encourage employers to hire a Syrian refugee.
Mr Trudeau, who swept the 19 October Canadian elections, has a different stance on refugees than his predecessor, the conservative Stephen Harper, who did not wish to resettle more people.
In recent months, thousands of Syrian refugees have been arriving in Canada but the Liberals are only counting those who’ve landed since they officially took office on November 4 as part of their commitment.
“Our community had a very favourable response”.
But the feds have made a special provision to ensure Syrian refugees get the full slate of health care as other privately sponsored refugees and asylum-seekers in limbo get turned away.
Ms. Dunlop, who has worked in refugee camps in the Middle East, said she felt compelled to do something and has assembled 230 volunteers, including translators, dentists, lawyers and teachers, as well as people willing to host dinners, or take families on outings. “Canadians get it, that this is about doing the right thing, it is about living up to the values that we cherish as a country and it is also an extraordinary way to continue to grow our country”, he said.
Advertisement
“We’re happy that they’re coming”, an exhausted-sounding Mr. Mirakian said by phone from his home.
