#WelcomeRefugees: The first 25,000
The process of resettling the first 25,000 Syrian refugees had five phases. It provided rapid protection for vulnerable Syrian refugees, while continuing to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Canada worked with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to identify people in Jordan and Lebanon, where they have an extensive list of registered refugees.
Phase 2: Processing Syrian refugees overseas
We scheduled interested refugees for processing at visa offices in Amman and Beirut.
Phase 3: Transportation to Canada
Beginning in December 2015, many refugees flew in on government-chartered aircraft, with others on commercial flights.
Phase 4: Welcoming in Canada
When refugees arrived in Canada, Border Services Officers processed and admitted them to Canada. This included verifying their identities when they arrived.
Refugees were also screened for signs of illness when they arrived. Anyone who was ill was treated.
Phase 5: Settlement and community integration
Syrian refugees travelled to communities across Canada, where they and their families are beginning to build new lives for themselves and their families. Refugees are provided with essential services and long-term support to make sure they settle and integrate successfully into Canadian society.
Find out where the refugees are going
Learn which communities and service provider organizations across Canada are welcoming refugees.
Find out what your business can do to help
Your business can help by donating money, items and services, and hiring refugees.
Tima Kurdi speaks about refugees
It was through the tragic death of Alan Kurdi that the desperation of Syrian refugees became widely known.