{UAH} THE SYRIANS HAVE TOUCHED DOWN IN TORONTO

Syrian refugees feel excitement, nerves as they head to Canada on government plane

Susan Ormiston · Senior correspondent · CBC News20 Seconds Ago

A group of about 164 Syrian refugees who left today on a Toronto-bound Canadian Forces Airbus from Beirut say they are excited to take the "big step" to come to Canada, but are also nervous about their journey.

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The plane carrying the refugees departed Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. It will land in Cologne, Germany, for a refuelling stop and crew change before carrying on to Canada. The refugees are expected to arrive in Toronto on Thursday evening.  

Prior to their departure, the refugees were bused to Beirut's airport and met by staff from the International Organization for Migration who are co-ordinating the movement of refugees for Canada. Canada's ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Cameron, was also at the airport to meet them.

As they waited at Gate 6 of the international departures terminal, most expressed happiness, but also some jitters about what lies ahead. The children clutched small teddy bears carrying little Canadian flags that were given to them upon arrival; many of the adults took selfies.

"It's a big step," one woman told me.

Some said they only found out three days ago they were cleared to come to Canada.

The Airbus is the first Canadian-sponsored plane to transport Syrian refugees to Canada under the Liberal government's expedited plan to bring in 25,000 refugees by the end of February.

Cameron confirmed to CBC News that most of those boarding are privately sponsored, but she did not give specific numbers. She added that the Lebanese government was co-operative in arranging exit visas.

I saw two Lebanese security officials, one in military uniform, one in plainclothes, sternly checking their documents
and asking the passengers to show what they were taking on the planes.

After over a month of assembling a large roster of refugees for resettlement in Canada, there are still few departures from the region. Another planeload is expected to leave Lebanon on Saturday heading for Montreal, but no other flights are scheduled yet for next week.

Late Wednesday night, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said "for security and privacy reasons, media will not be able to access the tarmacs or the departure/arrival areas of the flights bringing Syrian refugees to Canada."

The plane carrying Syrian refugees left Jordan and touched down just before 4:30 a.m. ET in Beirut as part of the journey to Canada. (Sylvia Thomson/CBC)

Canadian Immigration Minister John McCallum said Wednesday that Canada visa officers had been able to secure Lebanese exit visas for two plane loads of refugees, but didn't offer up any idea of how many more will depart soon. Canada has set up refugee processing centres in both Beirut and Amman, Jordan.

Officials in Amman admit moving large numbers of refugees quickly through medical and security checks has proven to be a challenge. 

As well as the 160 being transported to Canada by government plane, since Nov. 4,  416 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada in small groups on commercial aircraft. CBC News reported on one group of 32 that departed from Beirut on Nov. 29.   

Subsequent flights from Jordan

At a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, McCallum said, "the flights to Canada will all come from Jordan. The people who are currently in Lebanon will move the short distance to Amman, Jordan. And all of the refugees from both Jordan and Lebanon will fly from Amman, Jordan to either Toronto or Montreal."

There was no explanation later about why the first flight did not depart from Amman.  

Canada has set up refugee processing centres in Lebanon and Jordan, but officials say moving large numbers of refugees quickly through medical and security checks is a challenge. (Susan Ormiston CBC News )

Because the 164 who left Thursday are privately sponsored refugees, private groups will support them on arrival in Canada. The government will pay for their transport to Canada, initial medical costs, and arrival expenses.

The Liberal government's initial promise was for 25,000 government-sponsored refugees, but since then has said they will be a mix of private and government-sponsored arrivees.

Upon arrival, in Toronto and Montreal  Canada Border Services Officers (BSO) "will confirm their identity using the documentation the refugees received following their immigration processing overseas."   

"All refugees will also be checked for signs of illness when they arrive in Canada, per the Quarantine Act, and treatment will be available if anyone is ill upon arrival."

Refugees who are being resettled elsewhere in Canada will depart Friday.

 

EM

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