Canadians Extend Warm Welcome to Syrian Refugees
Canadians have extended a warm welcome to Syrian refugees who recently arrived in the country as new permanent residents of Canada. On December 10, 2015, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne, personally greeted Syrian refugees upon their arrival at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The 163 new Canadians had flown from Beirut, Lebanon, to Toronto, Ontario, on a special flight sponsored by Canada’s government as part of its ambitious plan to re-settle 25,000 Syrian refugees in Canada by February 2016 (with a total of 35,000-50,000 expected to immigrate to Canada by the end of 2016). The refugees were fleeing the ongoing civil war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in Syria.
Before the flight full of new Canadians touched down in Toronto, Prime Minister Trudeau delivered an inspiring speech to the crowd that had gathered at the airport to greet them. The Canadian leader declared, “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 difficult situations.”
Prime Minister Trudeau went on to say, “Tonight they step off the plane as refugees. But they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada, with social insurance numbers, with health cards, and with an opportunity to become full Canadians. This is something that we are able to do in this country because we define a Canadian not by a skin color or a language or a religion or a background. But by a shared set of values, aspirations, hopes and dreams that not just Canadians but people around the world share.”
Canada has received praise from around the globe for the warm welcome Canadians have shown to the Syrian refugees. There has also been increased interest in Canada and Canadian immigration by thousands of people across the planet, particularly in the Arab World, who have been impressed by the kindness of Canada’s government and residents toward newcomers.
As one of the world’s most immigrant-friendly and multicultural countries, Canada is naturally a top destination for people who are seeking better opportunities in life. Every year, approximately 250,000 foreign nationals are issued a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada through various Canadian immigration programs. Many of these new Canadian permanent residents are refugees fleeing difficult situations, such as those who recently arrived from Syria, but most are actually skilled foreign workers whose occupations are needed in Canada. Just as the Canadian government has reached out to help refugees, it has also tried to attract thousands of “economic immigrants” who can fill various high-demand jobs in Canada and contribute to the country’s economy. To find out which Canadian immigration program you and your family may be eligible for, click here!
