Canada is taking in 25,000 Syrian refugees before 2016, and all 10 provinces are on board

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees in the next six weeks
(Image credit: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will detail plans to resettle 25,000 refugees from Syria throughout Canada by Dec. 31, even after the terrorist attacks in Paris have turned many politicians south of the Canadian border against President Obama's plan to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016. "Everyone agrees that Canada must do more and must welcome 25,000 refugees," Trudeau said late Monday after meeting the premiers of Canada's 10 provinces. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper — a Conservative whom Trudeau, a Liberal, defeated in October — had declined to accept more Syrian refugees, but all 10 provincial leaders are on board with the new plan, Trudeau said.

"There was no one sitting at the table that is not interested in seeing refugees come," said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, though Brad Wall, the Conservative premier of Saskatchewan, did say he is concerned about the Dec. 31 deadline. Canada has taken in 1.2 million refugees since World War II, The Associated Press notes, and has long prided itself on its open arms.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.