Canada set to unveil Syrian refugee plan

Canada was to unveil details on Tuesday of its plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees in the space of a few weeks, seeking to reassure a population grown fearful over security in the wake of the Paris attacks.

The criteria to be used in the selection of asylum seekers, where they will be housed, and other specifics were to be announced in Ottawa at 3:30 pm local time (2030 GMT) following a meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.

Since sweeping to power in October 19 legislative elections, Trudeau has steadfastly held to an end of year deadline for bringing over the Syrians now living in camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.

But his ministers' recent public comments have avoided any mention of timelines, suggesting a softening of that position, while the small number of asylum seekers that have undergone checks so far points to possible delays.

The attacks in Paris that killed 130, claimed by the Islamic States group, have stirred fears in both Europe and North America that jihadists could seek to blend in with refugees in order to strike later.

Critics -- backed by 54 percent of Canadians, according to recent polls -- have urged Trudeau to slow down the process to avoid mistakes in security screenings of refugees.

"Canada has a long tradition of welcoming people from conflict areas, and we understand that everyone in every corner of this country came for a better life," Trudeau said Monday, seeking to firm up support for the plan after meeting with leaders of Canada's provinces and territories in Ottawa.

- Massive move -

According to draft documents leaked to the Canadian media, the massive endeavor would see up to 900 Syrian refugees flown daily from Jordan to Montreal and Toronto.

Only whole families, lone women or children would be accepted while unaccompanied men -- considered a security risk -- will be turned away.

Once in Canada, the refugees would reportedly be housed at military bases in Ontario and Quebec, until more suitable accommodations are found. The total cost has been estimated at Can$1.2 billion.
Reports said Canadian officials have pre-screened more than 4,000 asylum seekers in the past six weeks, on top of the UN refugee agency's registration process. At this pace, however, Ottawa would fall far short of its year-end resettlement goal.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said after being briefed on the plan Monday that he felt reassured on the security, cost and other resettlement issues.

"We're very happy with the way things are taking shape," he told reporters.

However, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, a vocal critic of the plan, remained a skeptic after meeting with Trudeau.

"There have been a number of concerns addressed," he said. "But my counsel would still be to the prime minister that we ought to just suspend the deadline."

"Let's just make sure we're driven by results to ensure good settlement results for the refugees themselves in the communities to which they're moving and also from a security perspective."

The UN refugee agency estimates that more than four million Syrians have fled the civil war that has ravaged their country and killed more than 250,000 people.
Source: AFP