While Donald Trump continues his anti-Muslim incitement in the US, the first group of Syrian refugees lands in Canada, the first of 25,000 expected to arrive by February; PM Trudeau came to greet them: ‘They step off the plane as refugees, but they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada.’
Canada prime minister welcomes wave of Syrian refugees
The first military plane carrying Syrian refugees to be resettled in Canada has arrived in the country.
Welcoming the 163 refugees, new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country was “showing the world how to open our hearts”.
The newly elected Liberal government has pledged to take in 25,000 refugees by the end of February.
Canada’s stance on the issue differs sharply to that of the US, which has been reluctant to take in migrants.
Another plane is due in Montreal on Saturday.
Immigration Minister John McCallum said all 10 provinces in Canada are in favour of accepting the refugees.
“This is a great moment for Canada,” he said. “This shows the way we really are. It truly is a non-partisan, national project.”
Since early November, hundreds of Syrians have already arrived in Canada via commercial aircraft.
A total of about 300 Syrians will arrive this week.
The Toronto Star, the country’s largest-circulation daily newspaper, ran a cover story on Thursday welcoming the refugees.
The US administration has said it will take in 10,000 refugees over the next year. Some Republican governors have unsuccessfully tried to keep them from coming to their states after deadly terrorist attacks in France and California.
Leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said after the California attacks that all Muslims should be blocked from coming to the US, drawing condemnation across the globe.
Global News reporter Mike Armstrong has been taking photos of refugees at Canada’s refugee processing centre in Amman, Jordan.
Some families have been told they may move in weeks, he tweeted.
About 800 refugees are going through screening tests in Lebanon and Jordan daily, Mr McCallum said.
Mr Trudeau, who swept the 19 October Canadian elections, has a different stance on refugees from that of his predecessor, the conservative Stephen Harper, who did not wish to resettle more people.
Unaccompanied men will be excluded from the resettlement programme but officials said this had nothing to do with national security concerns.
“We want them to have a roof over their head, and the right support,” said Mr McCallum.
“It takes a bit of time to put that all in place. We’re happy to take a little more time than originally planned to bring our new friends into the country.”
Those who will be considered refugees include families, women deemed to be at risk, and gay men and women.
Desertpeace 
Kathleen Bridel said,
December 11, 2015 at 14:22
Thank you for this posting Sadly there are some in Canada who oppose this Kathleen Bridel
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JOHN CHUCKMAN said,
December 12, 2015 at 16:13
Yes, indeed, proud, very proud.
robertsgt40 said,
December 12, 2015 at 16:22
Through the centuries, immigration of non-congruent cultures have been used to destroy nations from within. Multiculturalism DOES NOT WORK. Classic divide and conquer.
hp said,
December 12, 2015 at 19:03
Perspective helps see the big picture.
Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world. (Russia is 1st)
Canada has less population than California.
suspicious irresponsibility - Occurrences said,
December 13, 2015 at 07:31
[…] “Proud To Be A Canuk” Despite the fact that Canada has its fair share of haters, Canada is definitely on a very deep level different from the United States. Can you imagine any American politician using Muslim refugees as a political prop to increase popularity with voters? And haven’t these poor refugees suffered enough? […]
R Davis said,
December 13, 2015 at 08:35
The population of Syria in 2013 was 22.85 million.
How many of that number do you think have become refugees ?
Yemen – there is an EXODUS from Yemen due to the Saudi bombs.
Palestinians are leaving Palestine.
Iraqi people are geting out any way they can.
Saudi Arabi – is also experiencing an EXODUS.
Lybia – the people are trying to get out.
Lebanon are next on the list of the USA – 7 countries in 5 years war as told to the world by US General Wesley Clarke – the Lebanese people are leavng Lebanon.
QUESTION:
Who is going to take in all these people – it will be over a BILLION eventually.