John McCallum makes surprise visit to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum made an unannounced visit on Friday to a refugee camp in the town of Ghaziyeh in southern Lebanon near the port city of Sidon.
"I wanted to see the refugees with my own eyes, talk to them, welcome them in advance to Canada," McCallum said in Lebanon. "I also wanted to make sure we are on track to bring the number of people we want to bring, by the time we want to bring them."
This was McCallum's first visit to Lebanon as Canada intensifies efforts to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by year's end. Approximately 1,200 refugees have arrived in the country since Nov. 4., according to the most recent figures posted on the government of Canada website.
In a written statement issued after his visit, McCallum said "the work being done on the ground here in Lebanon by Canadians and others is enormous."
"We are making a very real difference in the lives of so many Syrian refugees who have gone through such hardship. Those who come to Canada can expect a warm welcome and an opportunity to be successful in their new home," said McCallum in a written statement Friday afternoon.
John McCallum makes surprise visit to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon - Politics - CBC News
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum made an unannounced visit on Friday to a refugee camp in the town of Ghaziyeh in southern Lebanon near the port city of Sidon.
"I wanted to see the refugees with my own eyes, talk to them, welcome them in advance to Canada," McCallum said in Lebanon. "I also wanted to make sure we are on track to bring the number of people we want to bring, by the time we want to bring them."
This was McCallum's first visit to Lebanon as Canada intensifies efforts to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by year's end. Approximately 1,200 refugees have arrived in the country since Nov. 4., according to the most recent figures posted on the government of Canada website.
In a written statement issued after his visit, McCallum said "the work being done on the ground here in Lebanon by Canadians and others is enormous."
"We are making a very real difference in the lives of so many Syrian refugees who have gone through such hardship. Those who come to Canada can expect a warm welcome and an opportunity to be successful in their new home," said McCallum in a written statement Friday afternoon.
John McCallum makes surprise visit to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon - Politics - CBC News