Canada to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by end of February

TORONTO — Canada's new Liberal government said Tuesday it will resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year and another 15,000 by the end of February.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had wanted to resettle 25,000 refugees in Canada by Dec. 31 but faced some pushback after the deadly attacks in Paris. Immigration and Refugee Minister John McCallum said they wanted to do it fast but also want to do it right, so they are taking a little bit more time to resettle them.

The government said that "robust health and security screening" will be completed overseas, and beginning in December, transportation via privately chartered aircraft, with military aircraft assisting if needed, will be organized.

"We will welcome them with a smile," McCallum said. "This is a wonderful humanitarian gesture by all Canadians."

The U.S. plans to take 10,000 refugees over the next year. Germany saw 758,000 refugees and other migrants arrive between January and October. Sweden is expecting around 200,000 this year.

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