Canada Set to Accept First Planes Full of Syrian Refugees

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that the country will be accepting the first two planes of Syrian refugees.

According to Trudeau, the first military flight, which includes 164 refugees who were privately sponsored according to CBC, will arrive on Thursday in Toronto. The CBC added that while the private sponsors will help the refugees adjust, the government will be funding their medical bills, transportation and arrival fees.

A second military plane is expected to land in Montreal on Saturday. These flights represent Canada's move toward a more liberal government that has pledged to take in 25,000 refugees before the beginning of March. The initial plan was to take in 25,000 refugees before the end of the year but the government warned that this feat was not reasonable.

The rest of the refugees are expected to make the trip via commercial flights.

Once the planes arrive, the Border Services Officers will be responsible for checking the refugees' "identity using the documentation the refugees received following their immigration processing overseas." All of the refugees will receive a quick medical check up for signs of any illnesses, which would then be treated.

"This is a great moment for Canada. This shows the way we really are," John McCallum, the Canadian immigration minister, said. "It truly is a non-partisan, national project."

McCallum added that Canadian officials have been working with the United Nations refugee agency to help refugees relocate. Since November 4, about 416 refugees from Syria have settled in Canada. Canada does have a history of taking in refugees. Since World War II, more than 1.2 million refugees from around the world have found a safe home in Canada.

Trudeau's plan, however, was not welcomed by all. Some Canadians argued that the prime minister should be focused on his citizens and not the refugees, especially since terrorist groups have been carrying out attacks.

Canada's neighboring country, the United States have also been torn over what to do with Syrian refugees amid the recent terrorist attacks both in the U.S. and abroad. While the Obama administration continues to back plans of welcoming 10,000 refugees within the next year, some state representatives have been vocal about not wanting the refugees to relocate to their communities.