Quebec says 3,650 Syrians refugees remains 'objective' for 2015

Quebec'sgovernmentsaid it is maintainingits "objective" of bringing3,650 Syrian refugeesinto theprovince by year's end.

Immigration Minister KathleenWeiland Public Security Minister Pierre Moreaureaffirmed the numberat a news conference Wednesday.

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It came on the heels of an admissionbyfederal Immigration JohnMcCallumearlier in the daythatOttawa's goal of having 10,000 Syrian refugees "on Canadian soil" by the end of 2015 was in doubt.

Weilsaid the province is still aiming to bring in3,650 refugees by the end of the year and new arrivals in the coming days will bring that number closer to reality.

To date, 1,376 Syrian refugees have arrived in Quebec since the start of 2015.

Another 298 arrived in Montreal Wednesday evening. All but four, who are destined for Calgary, will stay in the province.

She said the number of flights carrying refugees to Canada could increase to two a day, but added the government will be "careful when it comes to exact dates of arrivals."

The ministers said the priority was ensuring that the refugees who have arrived receive the care and the "welcome" they need.

"Quebec won't be closed Jan. 2. We will continue to operate. If it's not Jan. 2, it will be Jan. 3, if it's not Jan. 3, it will be Jan. 4.That's what's important," Moreau said.

Of the 298 Syrians expected Wednesday, 294 will stay in Quebec and the remaining four will head on to Alberta.

The vast majority, 195, will stay in Montreal. Of the rest, 80 will are destined for Laval, 18 for Sherbrooke, and one for Longueuil.

Since the start of 2015, nearly three-quarters of refugees from Syria to arrive in Quebec have settled in Montreal.