Tom Mulcair concerned about exclusion of some men in refugee plan

NDP Leader Tom Mulcairsays he has serious concerns with a plan to take in refugees that would exclude some men solelyin the name of national security.

CBC News reported on Sunday thatthe federal government willlimit the resettlement of 25,000 refugees by year's end towomen, children and families only.

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"We do not believe it is appropriate to make a vast generalization about a category of refugees and exclude them ahead of any processing because of who they are," Mulcair said in Ottawa on Monday, a day before the government announces all the details of its refugee resettlement plan.

"That's simply wrong," he said.

Mulcairsaid he was worriedthat "the politics of fear and division" that Canadians saw from the Conservativesduring the federal election campaign are resurfacing under the new Liberal government.

"Excluding them in advance is not the Canadian way.- Tom Mulcair, NDP leader

"While security concerns remain of vital importance, will a young man who lost both parents be excluded from Canada's refugee program?" said Mulcair "Will a gay man who is escaping persecution be excluded? Will a widower who is fleeing [ISIS]after having seen his family killed be excluded?"

"Excluding them in advance is not the Canadian way," said the NDP leader.

The previous government came under fire for prioritizing refugees by "the most vulnerable,"which critics saw as code for excluding Muslims an accusation the Conservatives repeatedly rejected.

'Tragic approach'

The Conservatives also took aim at the new government's approach to resettlingSyrian refugees, calling it hasty.

MP Jason Kenney,who servedas immigration minister under the previous Conservative government,said that by bringing in refugees from UN camps, the Liberals would be excluding "sexual, religious and ethnic minorities."

"In their rush to keep a campaign commitment that was written on the back of an envelope without input from officials," Kenney said, "the governmentwill likely be bringing refugees almost exclusively from camps.

"That excludes sexual, religiousandethnic minorities whoavoid the campsbecause they feel threatened by the majority [population]."

Kenney said this "tragic approach" would exclude "the most vulnerable."

Mulcair criticized the government for not being more forthcoming with its refugee plan and its total cost to taxpayers.

"The Liberal government has not been fully transparent about how we are going to go about it."

The NDP leader also laidout his party'sexpectations on other topics such as the economy andclimate change ahead ofthe first ministers conference in Ottawa today.

Trudeau says no question the Premiers support bringing Syrian refugees to Canada

9 years ago

Duration 0:55

The Prime Minister spoke after the First Ministers meeting in Ottawa Monday night

The country'spremiers and territorial leaders are meetingwith the prime minister for the first time in seven years.

Premiers briefed on refugees

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said the premiers and territorial leaders were given a briefing by Defence Minister Harjit Sajjanon the logistics and security aspects of the government's refugeeplan.

"Thefederalminister indicated that he would have a thoroughscreeningprocess," said Sellinger,adding that "he didn't get into the specifics other than to indicate there will be several layers of security that areaccomplished even before theyarrive in the country."

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The premiers met as a group ahead of their meeting with Prime Minister JustinTrudeauMonday evening.

Wynne and Selinger await details on refugees

9 years ago

Duration 1:29

Premiers Kathleen Wynne and Greg Selinger both discuss their provinces preparations in advance of the Federal government's announcement tomorrow on the process.

Ontario Premier KathleenWynnesaid the provincial leaders had some concerns aroundthe government's self-imposed deadline and whether additional funds wouldbe needed to pay for the resettlement plan.

"Is there enough time andwhat are those deadlines, and will there be funding that will assure the success of the people coming in," Wynne told reporters ahead of the meeting with Trudeau.

"Those are questions that I know will be raised tonight."

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said he would be looking for reassurances from Trudeau that the government would help the provinces with any additional costs.

"Wealready have the funds for thefirst 3,600 [refugees], but for anyadditional welcome, we will expect the funds to be there."

Premiers still wanting to do their part on refugees

9 years ago

Duration 0:33

Premiers are meeting in Ottawa today with Prime Minister Trudeau, and many are still wanting to do their part to take in Syrian refugees.

Trudeauis meeting with the premiers ahead of the UN climate change conference in Paris.

He has invited them to attend the international summit with him in an effort to show that Canada is serious about fighting climate change.

NDP Premier Rachel Notley unveiled on Sunday her government's climate strategy, which includes a carbon tax and a cap on oilsands emissions.