Canada welcomed its first planeload of refugees last night. 25,000 refuges will make Canada their home by March. And not only are they finding acceptance from all Provinces but Canada's very pretty Prime Minister was there in person to welcome the arrivals and help them find warm clothes to protect them against harsh Canadian winters.
Here are some remarks from Trudeau's speech concerning the refugees just before their arrival:
"First of all, thank you for being here. And thank you for the gorgeous smiles I see. This is a wonderful night where we get to show not just a planeload of new Canadians what Canada is all about, we get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily difficult situations.
"But it's not just about receiving them tonight. It's about the hard work we're all going to do in the coming weeks, months and indeed years to ensure that everyone who passes through here tonight and in the weeks and months to come are able to build a life for themselves, for their family and also contribute fully to the continued growth of this extraordinary country."
"Tonight they step off the plane as refugees. But they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada, with social insurance numbers, with health cards, and with an opportunity to become full Canadians.
"This is something that we are able to do in this country because we define a Canadian not by a skin colour or a language or a religion or a background. But by a shared set of values, aspirations, hopes and dreams that not just Canadians but people around the world share. And how you will receive these people tonight will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives, but also I know something that you will remember for the rest of your lives. And I thank you deeply for being a part of this because this matters, tonight matters, not just for Canada but for the world.
"Merci beaucoup, mes amis."
Some quotes from the article (not from Trudeau's speech LOL):
"Canadians eager to show their support for the newcomers weren’t deterred by the fact that they couldn’t do so face to face.
A handful of people gathered at the international arrivals gate at Pearson bearing signs and gifts.
...dropped off dozens of bags brimming with snacks and plush toys for the children, as well as hats and mittens for the adults. ...having made arrangements with airport security to have the items -and several hundreds more bags – brought to the designated terminal where the government flight landed."
Another plane arrives in Montreal tomorrow. So many people wanted to go to the airport to welcome them (including my wife) that for security and logistic reasons that's not going to be possible. But I think it will be clear enough to the refugees aka new permanent residents of Canada that they are very welcome indeed.
Damn those refugees hit the jackpot.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2394286/li...ees-to-canada/