Canada is going full-steam ahead with its new leader’s plan to take in more than 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year, but the drive has split the nation as the Paris attacks raise security fears.
Dueling online petitions for and against fast-tracking refugee claims have gathered steam in Canada since the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, with about 45,000 for and 70,000 against as of Tuesday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains committed to his electoral pledge, telling reporters traveling with him to the Philippines for APEC talks that his government “will make every effort” to resettle the asylum seekers.
However, he faces growing criticism at home on the issue.
Trudeau broadly outlined his plan to take in the Syrian refugees during the campaign that swept his Liberals into office last month and has mobilized several government ministries to get the job done since being sworn in two weeks ago.
However, the discovery of a Syrian passport near the body of one assailant in the Paris attacks that killed 129 people last week has stirred fears in both Europe and North America that militants could seek to blend in with refugee masses in order to strike later.
As half of US state governors called for a halt to the resettlement of Syrian refugees, Saskatchewan Province Premier Brad Wall wrote an open letter urging Trudeau to rethink his plan.
“If even a small number of individuals who wish to do harm to our country are able to enter Canada as a result of a rushed refugee resettlement process, the results could be devastating,” Wall said.
Others said the time line was simply unrealistic.
In Quebec, Premier Philippe Couillard downplayed security concerns, saying: “The refugees are victims, not terrorists.”
Middle East and international terrorism expert Jabeur Fathally said the Syrian refugees desperately need Canada’s help, but warned against “rushing” the process.
“A few months delay won’t make a big difference” for the claimants, the University of Ottawa professor told reporters. “Whether they arrive at the end of December or in March, it won’t matter.”
However, “the consequences of rushing could be very serious,” Fathally said.
Furthermore, “I don’t think Canadians will reproach Prime Minister Trudeau for breaking an election promise under the circumstances,” Fathally added.
Down the hall at the University of Ottawa, international law professor Errol Mendes said that Canada would be welcoming Syrian refugees who have been living in camps in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey for months or years.
The individuals concerned have been “registered” or pre-screened by UN officials — a very different situation to the hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants heading from Syria to Europe.
“It’s a very different process that we’re dealing with,” he said.
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