Statement - Protecting the World's Most Vulnerable - Minister Alexander Marks World Refugee Day 2014

OTTAWA, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today issued the following statement on World Refugee Day.

"The government stands with people across Canada and around the globe in defense of the world's most vulnerable and those truly in need of Canada's protection.

"Our reforms to a once-broken refugee determination system continue to produce real results: faster determinations and swifter protection for genuine refugees; quicker removals for bogus and failed claimants; and, savings for taxpayers.

"Our fair and generous immigration system continues to welcome about one out of every 10 resettled refugees globally—more than almost any industrialized country in the world."

"Of course, this would not be possible without vibrant and innovative partnerships with private sponsors, organizations and others who help us resettle refugees and help them participate fully in Canada's economy and Canadian society."

Thanks to reforms implemented 18 months ago, countries in distress - such as Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Somalia and Syria - now rank among the top 10 source countries for asylum claims in Canada. Vulnerable populations such as Iraqi, Bhutanese, Iranian and Syrian refugees are being welcomed in large numbers. In fact, the Government of Canada and private sponsors have together welcomed more than 21,800 refugees to Canada in just the last two years.

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

(media only), please contact:

Alexis Pavlich
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
[email protected]

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.