OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Hon. John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement:
"This afternoon, Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale and I had the great pleasure of meeting with Kathleen Weil, Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, and Pierre Moreau, Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and acting Minister of Public Security.
"Our discussion focused on our plans to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada. The Government of Canada values our unique partnership with Quebec on immigration and refugee matters, as defined by the Canada-Quebec Accord. We are also holding consultations with our counterparts in other provinces and territories as we implement this significant, complex and compassionate humanitarian initiative.
"In our meeting today, we reiterated our commitment to respond swiftly to the ongoing crisis, and also to ensure that the health and security of the arriving refugees – and of all Canadians – remains paramount, and is not compromised in any way.
"In the coming days, we will provide Canadians with the details of our ambitious plan. Needless to say, the Government of Canada recognizes it is critical to have ongoing engagement and co-ordination with other levels of government, stakeholders, partners, and the Canadian public for the successful implementation of this plan.
"As Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, I am tremendously grateful for the collaboration and commitment of the government of Quebec, of other provinces and territories, and of all our domestic and international partners, as we continue to take action to help Syrian refugees rebuild their lives in our great country."
SOURCE Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(media only), please contact: Media Relations, Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]
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