OTTAWA – The Liberal government says it will release details next Tuesday of its plan to settle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year.
The program – which could cost as much as $1.2 billion over the next six years – will involve several government departments as well as the military in a co-ordinated effort to take in some of the most vulnerable people who have fled the war in Syria over the last four years.
The potential cost for the program was contained in a document obtained by The Canadian Press that says the rapid resettlement effort could require as much as $876 million this year alone.
READ MORE: 60% of Canadians disagree with Liberal plan to accept Syrian refugees: Ipsos poll
Immigration Minister John McCallum wouldn’t comment on the cash required, saying that will be part of the information coming out next week.
Settlement agencies who will be responsible for the longer-term integration of refugees have been awaiting the details for weeks, but the recent attacks in Paris are believed to have slowed the rollout of the plan.
McCallum says the plan takes into account security and health needs and while the government is committed to bringing refugees to Canada quickly, it also wants to do it right.
WATCH: Jane Philpott and John McCallum spoke to the media about the government’s plan
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