Canada welcoming over 1,000 new refugees

By the end of 2017, Canada will accept 1,200 survivors of ISIS, including vulnerable Yazidi women and children and their families.

“The treasure that was Mosul is gone.” 217,000 have fled their homes since the start of the Mosul offensive. https://t.co/T6YX4m4XgI #Iraq pic.twitter.com/z4D76NOYgS

— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 22, 2017

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Minister Ahmed Hussen made the announcement on Tuesday, saying that about 400 government-assisted refugees will have arrived by February 22nd, 2017, which is 120 days from the date of the motion passed by the House of Commons last fall.

Canada is working with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with the cooperation and support of the Iraqi government, to identify vulnerable Yazidi and other survivors of ISIS, now referred to as Daesh, both inside and outside of Iraq.

"Our Government is committed to offering protection to survivors of Daesh, and we are committed to taking the necessary time to do this right,” said Hussen. “Our operation aims to bring to Canada those at the greatest risk, and to give them the support and services they need to make a new home, and to restart their lives here."

Vulnerable women and children are being identified, but families will be kept together through the process.

All individuals will have an immigration and security interview by an experienced visa officer, comprehensive security screening and biometric checks as well as medical exams.

The estimated cost for this initiative is $28 million.