Statement

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October 19, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement:

“Together with a core group of international allies, Canada is working to resettle a group of White Helmets and their families after they had to flee Syria as a result of being specifically targeted by the Syrian regime and its backer, Russia.

“As first responders, the White Helmets have witnessed first-hand some of the most appalling crimes committed by the murderous Assad regime. Canada has supported the work of the White Helmets by helping them to expand, train more volunteers, train more women and save more lives. We have a moral obligation to assist the endangered members of this civil defence group and their families.

“White Helmets volunteers and their family members are in the process of being resettled to Canada, consistent with our legal standards for resettlement. Immigration processing is taking place overseas and security screening is completed before refugees are permitted to fly to Canada. For their safety, and that of their family members still in Syria, we ask that the privacy of these individuals be respected. No detailed information will be released regarding arrival dates or locations.

“We would like to thank all of our international partners who are collaborating on this important initiative.

“Canada calls on the Syrian regime -- and its backers Russia and Iran -- to immediately cease all attacks on civilians in Syria.”