Canada has welcomed a planeload of Syrian refugees on Thursday. They were personally greeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself, who promised to give a new and better life to the 25,000 individuals.

"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 extraordinary difficult situations," Trudeau said while waiting for the refugees' arrival.

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The aircraft carrying 163 refugees arrived in Toronto before midnight on Thursday. On Sunday, the next batch will arrive in Montreal. The prime minister stated that the Canadian government will be resettling 10,000 refugees this year and an additional 15,000 by the end of February next year.

The much-awaited newcomers, who boarded a military plane, were proceeded to a special terminal, while those sponsored on commercial flights arrived at Toronto's main terminal. They were greeted by sponsors and even ordinary Canadians who drove all the way to the airport and showed their support by dropping off donations. 

However, airport personnel discouraged the move. "We're so proud that our community wants to help, but such a response would be very overwhelming for those arriving." Volunteers, interpreters and immigration officers lent a hand to formally admit the refugees. Welcome gifts like blankets and snow boots were also provided.

"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," Trudeau said.

The bcivil war in Syria has displaced more than 4 million people and has claimed around 250,000 lives. Even before the conflict, Canada has been opening its doors to asylum seekers. In the past, during the 1990s, over 5000 people were airlifted to the country from Kosovo, another  5000 in 1972 from Uganda and 60,000 in 1979-80 from Vietnam. Since the World War II, the country has given new lives to over 1.2 million people already. 

TagsSyrian refugees, Justin Trudeau, Refugee, asylum, asylum seekers