OTTAWA: 10,000 REFUGEES MAY NOT RESETTLE BEFORE YEAR'S END
Dec 23, 2015
By Bob Komsic
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They will have passed physical exams and other requirements to be certified as permanent residents by the end of next week, however, more than 10,000 Syrian refugees may not all be in Canada by then.
Immigration Minister John McCallum says factors beyond the Trudeau government’s control, including the weather, refugees wanting to say goodbye to families and friends, may not make it possible to meet its goal by the end of 2015.
”We are moving heaven and earth to get them here as quickly as we can, but to do it in a way that is correct and appropriate and takes due concern for security, medical and other issues.”
McCallum is confident that the Liberals will meet their ”fundamental target” of 25,000 by the end of February.
He also announced that the government would provide $15-million to agencies in 23 communities to help provide housing and other supplies.