10 000 refugees by Dec. 31st

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The fight against ISIS has now fuelled tension between Turkey, a Nato member and Russia, with President Vladimir Putin warning there will be “significant consequences.”

Turkey says a Russian warplane entered Turkish airspace before it was shot down along the Syrian border earlier today. Both the US and Nato back Turkey’s claim, while the Canadian government is moving cautiously.

While airstrikes continue against ISIS in Syria, our federal government is reducing the number of Syrian refugees it planned to bring to Canada, at least by the end of the year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made a campaign promise to resettle 25 000 Syrian refugees by December 31st now, his government says Canada will reach that target-number by February.

At a news conference, a panel of ministers including Immigration Minister John Mccallum announced that our country will resettle 10 000 refugees by the end of the year through both private sponsorship and government assistance.

The other 15 000 will be brought into Canada in January and February. Priority will be given to families, women at risk and members of sexual minorities and single men only if they are identified as members of an LGBT community or are travelling with a family.

Health Minister Jane Philpott says full medical and security screening will take place overseas.