'Colossal effort' underway to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by year's end

The federal government is ramping up efforts in a race against time to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada in just two weeks.

During a briefing on the resettlement plan in Ottawa Wednesday,Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallumsaid officials have managed a "massive" increase in capacity for processing ofSyrians in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, includinginterviews andsecurity and health screening.

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Health screening, for example, has increased from about 600 people a week to nearly 800 a day.

But McCallum said some inhibiting factors arebeyondthe government's control, including the pace of exit permits from Lebanon and the desire for some Syrian refugees to take extra time to sell assets or say goodbye to friends and relatives.

"This is a very human element, and we in the Government of Canada do not control that human element," McCallum said.

The tight timeframe would require an average of 600 arrivals a day until Dec. 31.

Next flight arrives Friday

McCallum said the next flight will arrive in Toronto on Friday from Beirut, carrying mostly government-assisted refugees. To meet the target of 10,000 by year's end, there will be an average of two flights a day, he said.

Most flights will be operated by Royal Jordanian Airlines, possibly supplementedby Canadian aircraft.

"I think we're good to go on planes. I think we've addressed successfully our challenges on the medical front, I think we're good to go in terms of the security interviews thanks to this colossal effort," he said.

John McCallum describes "colossal effort" to bring in Syrian refugees

8 years ago

Duration 2:00

Immigration minister says next flight is December 18 and government will arrange an average of two flights a day

But Michelle Rempel, the Conservative critic for immigration, refugees and citizenship, said the rush makes it clear the Liberals did not think through its campaign promise to meet a "year-end quota." She said the government has not provided details on how it will ensure the proper support mechanisms are in place, from housing to employment to cultural issues.

"We want to make sure that when we're welcoming people to Canadawe're setting them up for success," she told CBC News.

The federal government also announced it is dropping an appeal in the case around changes to the interim federal health program for refugees that were brought in by the previous Conservative government in 2012.

The restrictions have already been lifted, providing coverage for privately sponsored and government-assisted Syrian refugees.Health Minister Jane Philpott said she is"fully aware there are someinconsistencies" with refugees from other countries, who are still not eligible.

Changes to expand beyond the Syrian refugeeswould require cabinet approval, which is expected in coming weeks, she said.

Citizens for Public Justice is urging that health services be restoredfor all refugees immediately. Cuts have an impact on the ability and willingness of sponsors to help due to added liability for costs associated with vision and dental care, prosthetics, medication and mobility devices, according to the advocacy group.

"These cuts put the health of refugees at risk, but churches and sponsoring groups have also been put at risk,"said executive director Joe Gunn in a news release.

Jane Philpott says government will restore refugee health care

8 years ago

Duration 2:17

Health minister says she worries about temporary fixes to refugee health and says restored program will save money

In a background briefing earlier Wednesday, government officials expressed optimism the 10,000 target can be met.

"We're still confident this is possible," said one government official.

The influx process is more like a "wave" than a steady progression, officials said. About 1,200 refugees have arrived so far, includingthose on three government-organized flights.

500 staff on the ground

About 500 staff from various government departments are in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey carrying out what are being called "Herculean" efforts. That includes expedited processing, including health exams, security screening andup to 800 visa interviews a day.

McCallum also praised the support and contributions for Canadians and businesses.

"For me, this is different. It's a project from the heart," he said, choking back tears. "I'll leave it at that."