OTTAWA — The Liberal cabinet has met to review its plan for the resettlement of Syrian refugees, but is saying little — sowing confusion and frustration about exactly what is to happen next, and how.
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nor Immigration Minister John McCallum would clarify whether private sponsors will play a role in their plan to resettle 25,000 Syrians.
Originally, the Liberals promised to bring 25,000 people by the end of the year, and then encourage private groups like churches to do even more.
Trudeau is acknowledging as much, but also says meeting that target will be a challenge, noting that Canadians have demonstrated a willingness to do more.
McCallum, for his part, is going further, saying — when pressed about the specifics of the commitment — that the government is looking for a mix.
There are currently about 10,000 Syrian refugee applications in the pipeline; since January, close to 6,000 have been received from private sponsors, who shoulder the financial and logistical burden of resettling refugees themselves.
