Trudeau welcomes first Syrian refugees to Canada

“This is a wonderful night, where we get to show not just a planeload of new Canadians what Canada is all about, we get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily hard situations”, Trudeau told airport workers and volunteers standing by to meet the refugees.

Trudeau was elected to a surprise majority in October promising to accept more refugees more quickly than the previous Conservative government.

Mr Keoushkerian, a Syrian refugee of Armenian descent, said he and his family have been in Canada for 10 months and did not apply for asylum in the US.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras yesterday admitted Greek border controls had been overwhelmed by the mass arrival of refugees earlier this year, but insisted all migrants were now being properly documented, reports AFP. “Our message on behalf of the arts community to newcomers is ‘welcome, we are so happy to have you in our communities, we welcome you to our spaces, performances and events when you are ready”, he said.

As the first plane carrying Syrian refugees arrived in Toronto, Canadians were on hand to welcome them to their new country.

“It’s like a Christmas gift to us”, she said of their arrival. “And when we got them together, it was an overwhelming response”, Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, was quoted as saying.

Families were given teddy bears and winter clothing.

“Welcome, welcome to Canada”, said Hannah Bytion, as she repeatedly embraced her sister, who she last saw five years ago.

A second flight is set to arrive in Montreal on Saturday. They also were screened one more time at the airport and given permanent residency documents and health cards giving them access to free health care.

“Today, we welcome many Syrian refugees who were forced to flee their homeland because of war and conflict”.

More than 400 refugees have already arrived on commercial flights since the Liberals took office on November 4.

“I’m here to show my solidarity for and support of the Syrian people going through genocide in Syria”, Reef said.

Andrew Harris, 51, said he wanted to counter the fearful messaging about Muslims that has circulated since the Paris attacks.

Jane Philpott, minister of health, and John McCallum (far right), minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, are calling on Canada’s business community to provide funding to help resettle Syrian refugees.