Canada’s Syrian refugee plan limited to women, children and familiesCanada’s

CBC News reported Monday that the country’s “much-anticipated” refugee plan will only accept women, children and families.

Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed his commitment to resettle 25,000 refugees, primarily Syrians, now residing in camps in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey by the year-end.

Trudeau broadly outlined his intention to take in the Syrian refugees during the campaign that swept his Liberals into office last month, and has mobilized several government ministries to get the job done since being sworn in three weeks ago.

Security checks are being done by Canadian authorities, along with the UN.

The government plans to accept 25,000 refugees by year’s end.

The previous government came under fire for prioritizing refugees by “the most vulnerable”, which critics saw as code for excluding Muslims – an accusation the Conservatives repeatedly rejected.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is among those criticizing the plan, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he remains committed to the promises touted through the federal election. The announcement of the revisions are expected to take place Tuesday.

Details on the government’s plan have been sparse so far.

The plight of Syrian refugees is in the news due to the Paris attacks by Daesh. Canada’s screening is being co-ordinated across multiple departments, including CSIS and the RCMP.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the provincial leaders had a few concerns around the government’s self-imposed deadline and whether additional funds would be needed to pay for the resettlement plan.

The cost of resettling the Syrian refugees is estimated at a few 1.2 billion Canadian dollars ($900 million) over the next six years.

“No one has ever doubted the first principle that this country is compassionate, this country’s initial reaction is to welcome refugees from wherever they are being persecuted in the world, from wherever they are fleeing”, he said.

Azem said that despite having a few reservations, the Syrian-Canadian community is largely “very appreciative that the government is stepping up and doing something historical”.