06/10/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2022 09:42
Canada has now marked an important milestone by welcoming our 15,000th Afghan refugee since August 2021. To date, we have welcomed 15,475 vulnerable Afghans. The latest newcomers arrived in Toronto, Ontario, on June 8 on a charter flight with approximately 300 Afghan nationals on board as part of Canada's privately sponsored refugee program.
June 10, 2022-Ottawa, Ontario - Canada has now marked an important milestone by welcoming our 15,000th Afghan refugee since August 2021. To date, we have welcomed 15,475 vulnerable Afghans. The latest newcomers arrived in Toronto, Ontario, on June 8 on a charter flight with approximately 300 Afghan nationals on board as part of Canada's privately sponsored refugee program.
Welcoming refugees to Canada is an integral part of our country's long-standing and proud humanitarian tradition. It reflects our commitment to provide protection to displaced and persecuted individuals, including Afghan refugees.
Resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals is a complex initiative that requires a whole-of-government approach, and through strong partnerships with provinces and territories, service providers, sponsorship agreement holders, private sponsors and the generosity of Canadians and newcomers we will achieve this goal. The Government of Canada also continues to collaborate with international partners to facilitate safe passage for those in Afghanistan, and is working here at home to support these newcomers as they build their new lives in communities across Canada.
Here are some of the key ways we've reached this important milestone:
Together, we are making a difference in the lives of Afghan newcomers and their families and providing support to those who need it most. Individuals and businesses looking to get involved through volunteering, donating, sponsoring or supporting the wider resettlement efforts can learn more about how Canadians can help.
Photos of recent arrivals are available in Dropbox for use by media. You can also monitor Canada's progress on welcoming Afghan refugees to Canada.
"Canada has a proud history of helping the world's most vulnerable. Although there remains more work to do, I applaud the many people and partners who have helped us bring more than 15,000 Afghan nationals to safety in Canada. We are proud of what we have accomplished so far and remain determined to do more to help Afghan refugees."
- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The latest data on newly arrived Afghan refugees is available on our Key figures webpage.
Afghans come to Canada under special immigration, humanitarian and family reunification programs.
The government proposes to provide $1.3 billion over 6 years, starting in 2021-2022, and $67 million in future years, to continue to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of vulnerable Afghans to Canada.
Contacts for media only
Aidan Strickland
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
[email protected]
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
[email protected]