Canada to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by end of February

Canada’s new Liberal government has said it will resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year and another 15,000 by the end of February.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had wanted to resettle 25,000 refugees in Canada by December 31 but faced some pushback following the deadly attacks in Paris.

Immigration and Refugee Minister John McCallum said they wanted to get it done fast but also do it right so they are taking a little bit more time to process and resettle the refugees. The government said health and security screening will take place overseas and once that’s complete, refugees will be flown to Toronto and Montreal, largely on chartered aircraft. Military aircraft will assist if needed. “We will welcome them with a smile,” McCallum said. “This is a wonderful humanitarian gesture by all Canadians.” Tuesday’s announcement could raise alarm in the US, where many Republican governors have said they don’t want any Syrian refugees.