OTTAWA, Nov. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada wishes to share the details of the program of the Forum on Welcoming Syrian Refugees to Canada that will be hosted by Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, on December 1, 2015, at 9 a.m. at Rideau Hall.
The event will highlight Canada's diversity, inclusion and volunteerism efforts to prepare for the arrival of the Syrian refugees.
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Below is the sequence of events (approximate timings):
9:00 a.m. - The Governor General will deliver a speech to introduce the forum and encourage a coordinated and collaborative national effort to respond to the Syrian crisis.
9:15 a.m. - Mobilizing the Public Sector
The panel will outline government commitments and challenges in refugee resettlement.
| Moderator: |
Mr. Stephen Wallace |
| Secretary to the Governor General |
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| Panelists: |
The Honourable John McCallum |
| Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
|
| The Honourable Michael Chan |
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| Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade of Ontario and Provincial Co-Chair of the Federal-Provincial Forum for Ministers Responsible for Immigration |
|
| The Honourable Kathleen Weil |
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| Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness of Quebec |
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| His Worship Mike Savage |
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| Mayor of the City of Halifax and Co-chair of the Task Force on Syrian Refugee Resettlement of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities |
10:30 a.m. - Mobilizing Communities and Individual Canadians
The panel will highlight the importance of community connections and networks for ease of integration.
| Moderator: |
Mr. Ian Bird |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundations of Canada |
|
| Panelists: |
Ms. Naomi Alboim |
| Co-Founder, Lifeline Syria |
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| Mr. Brian Dyck |
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| Co-Chair, Canadian National Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holder Association |
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| Mr. Conrad Sauvé |
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| President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Red Cross |
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| Ms. Paula Speevak |
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| President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Canada |
11:30 a.m. - Mobilizing the Private Sector
The panel will showcase private-sector contributions, volunteer efforts and support.
| Moderator: |
The Honourable Perrin Beatty |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce |
|
| Panelists: |
Ms. Margaret Eaton |
| Executive Director, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council |
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| Mr. Derek Gent |
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| Executive Director, Vancity Community Foundation |
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| Mr. Jim Laws |
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| Executive Director, Canadian Meat Council |
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| Ms. Susan Scotti |
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| Senior Vice President, Canadian Council of Chief Executives |
12:25 p.m. - After listening to the panel discussions, the Governor General will provide closing remarks and reiterate his support to those involved in welcoming Syrian refugees.
Follow the conversation and receive updates on the forum on the Governor General's social media accounts @GGDavidJohnston and @RideauHall, and also by using #WelcomeRefugees.
Media wishing to cover the event are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office and must arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. at the main entrance of the residence.
Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter
SOURCE Governor General
Media information: Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-9324, 613-668-1929 (cell), [email protected]
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