Immigration minister says Canada bringing in at least 35,000 Syrian refugees - Action News
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Immigration minister says Canada bringing in at least 35,000 Syrian refugees

Immigration Minister John McCallum told reporters today that the federal government remains focused on housing to help with the influx of Syrian refugees coming to Canada in the coming months.

Private sponsorships could drive up number to 50,000, John McCallum says

John McCallum discusses health care for refugees

9 years ago
Duration 1:09
The immigration minister insists the federal government will adhere to a court ruling that calls for health care to be reinstated for refugees.

Immigration Minister John McCallum told reporters today that the federal government remains focused on housing to help with the influx ofSyrian refugees coming to Canada in the coming months.

In a news conference where he was joined by provincial ministers Michael Chanand Eric Hoskins in Toronto, McCallumsaid the federal government vowed to bring in 25,000 government-sponsored refugees during the election campaign and they're sticking with that figure.

Withprivate sponsors currently helping with 10,000, the total number of Syrians coming to Canadawill be at least 35,000 and could hit 50,000 with enough sponsorships.

Each refugee will undergo a series of tests overseas to become a permanent resident and landed immigrant, McCallumsaid. This grants refugeesaccess to benefits many Canadians enjoy, including legal rights, freedom of movement along with equal treatment and protections, to name a few.

A federal court ruled in July 2014 that Conservative cuts to health care for refugees constituted "cruel and unusual" punishment.

McCallum also responded to a question abouta report that only sixper cent of Syrians are choosing Canada or the United Statesas their top choice for resettlement.

More generally, this national project is going very well.- Immigration Minister John McCallum

"There's a huge enthusiasm to come to Canada," the minister said, adding thedata may be incomplete because communications are not always reliable in that part of theworld.

"I don't think that's the real number," he told reporters.

McCallum also reiteratedhis three top priorities for the refugees heading to Canadaare: "housing, housing and housing."

"This national project is going very well," the minister said, adding "there will be challenges along the way."

The government has said they would like to bring in 10,000 Syrian refugeesby the end of the year and 25,000 by March of next year. A federal map revealed Toronto will be receiving approximately 2,600 refugees in the process.

Immigration Minister John McCallum says Canada will be bringing in anywhere from 35,000 to 50,000 private and government sponsored Syrian refugees. (CBC)