Maryam and Nore Kasmeih wait for Syrian refugees at the airport.
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In the meantime, Canada welcomed its first arrival of Syrian refugees yesterday, reports the BBC.
On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed the first plane of refugees to touch down in Canada to find a new home after fleeing the Syrian civil war.
The minister said Canada was doing all it can to meet the government’s goal of bringing 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year and 25,000 by the end of February.
Now that he’s in Canada, Jenanian said he hopes to improve his English and get a steady job.
The Canada Council for the Arts and Sun Life Financial have teamed up to give financial support to arts organizations that provide free cultural events for refugees in their local communities.
Trudeau is joined by the ministers of immigration, health and defence, as well as Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor John Tory and the opposition immigration critics.
“You are home”, Trudeau said.
“You’re home. You’re safe at home now.”
And when they get there, there are plenty of friends to be had.
“Tonight is a wonderful night where we get to show a plane-load of new Canadians what Canada is all about, but we get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinary hard situations”, Trudeau said in a speech captured by the New York Times.
Refugees carried their belongings in red plastic bags with a sticker that read “Welcome to Canada”.
There were tears, tight embraces and beaming smiles as newly arrived Syrian refugees united Friday with the Canadians who helped bring them to the country.
More than 400 refugees have already arrived on commercial flights since the Liberals took office on November 4.
Another planeload of refugees is expected to arrive in Montreal on Saturday.
Canadians eager to show their support for the newcomers weren’t deterred by the fact that they couldn’t do so face to face.
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Reprinted with permission from Toronto Star.
