Canada giving C$100 million to help address Syria refugee crisis

He says there’s more than simple humanitarianism in his program to bring 25,000 refugees to Canada by the end of February.

The scope of the military’s role has been altered as well; Operation Provision is no longer focused on an immediate requirement to arrange housing for thousands of people, potentially for months and instead the Canadian Forces will be called upon only if needed.

The government is also giving the United Nations in those countries, as well as in Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Europe, money to help deal more broadly with the effect of the refugee crisis in those countries.

“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion isn’t about Canadians being nice and polite, although of course we are”, he said.

“It’s a pretty tough choice for families to be making”.

“With over four million Syrian refugees in the region, I hope more countries will follow Canada’s example and not only help us address the enormous needs in the neighbouring states but provide more opportunities for refugees to find safety elsewhere”.

The money will also be used to identify, contact and counsel Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey eligible for resettlement.

The UN first chooses the cases, then passes them off to Canadian officials for final review and approval.

McCallum said the decision to give preference to gay, bisexual and transgendered men over heterosexual unaccompanied men in whom the government will sponsor was partly because “they are persecuted intensely” in many Middle Eastern countries.

While Prime Minister Trudeau had promised to resettle 25,000 refugees by year’s end, he had to extend the deadline into early 2016 with current security challenges.

“Most certainly the biggest issue – and it has been my issue all along – is in terms of the time frame”, the new Conservative MP told Peace Arch News on Friday, noting that she has had first-hand experience with practical issues of refugee resettlement during her 10 years as mayor of Surrey.

Since that date, about 100 Syrians have arrived in Canada.

Security screening will now be conducted overseas.

“They don’t have any credit history”, adds Mario Ayala from the Inland Refugee Society of BC.

That, too, could be an around-the-clock task, as flights may take off and land at all hours.

“This response is driven by compassion, empathy and the humanitarian imperative to act”, said Conrad Sauvé, president and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. “But it’s never a reason not to do it, and it can always be handled responsibly”, he said.

Many of those in the crowd at the West Vancouver United Church Monday were there to hear how they could either sponsor refugee families or help once those people arrive in Canada, said Alison Dudley with the North Shore Immigrant Inclusion Partnership.