Syrian refugee among Paris terrorists, Greece confirms, but Trudeau will go ahead with resettlement plan
A Syrian refugee was among the terrorists who slaughtered 129 civilians during the attack in Paris last night, the Greek government has confirmed, but the Canadian government will go ahead with the plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees in Canada by the year’s end, according to a senior official from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“With respect to the case of the Syrian passport that was found in the area of the terrorist attack. We announce that the passport holder had passed by Leros on 3/10/2015, where he was identified, based on EU rules, as these were established on the Summit Meeting about the refugee issue,” Greek Alternate Minister for Citizens Protection Nikos Toskas said in a statement released today. “We do not know whether the passport was checked from other countries through which it is possible the holder passed. We will continue the painstaking and persistent effort, under difficult circumstances, to ensure the safety of our country and Europe, insisting on the full identification of those that pass through the refugee stream.”
A senior official from the PM Justin Trudeau’s Office told reporters in Turkey today that the government remains committed to the promises the Liberal Party campaigned on, but assured Canadians that that the refugees will be chosen in a “safe and responsible” manner.
Meanwhile, a petition demanding that the PM Trudeau extend the Syrian refugee resettlement deadline has garnered more than 55,000 signatures.
The petition, started three weeks ago by a user from Edmont, Alberta, is also addressed to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Minister John McCallum, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale, and National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
“Consider the Canadian Citizens and their security as well as the Economic burden that this would create,” the petitioner wrote. “Consider all outcomes prior to admitting this many people in from a whole other culture. First and foremost it is your duty as our government to protect Canadians first.”
“Rushing this process undoubtedly compromise the safety and security of Canadian citizens, as well as permanent residents,” the petition warns.
The majority of signatories expressed security and economic well-being of Canadian citizens as their motive for signing the petition.
“I’m signing because I care about Canadian people’s safety and Canada’s safety. In the current economy situation we have today in Canada,” Hong zhang from Calgary, Alberta said. “Mr. Trudeau, please take care of your own people before thinking about taking in refugees. The risk is greater than good cause.”
“With the events in Paris it has become very clear that terrorists who threaten our way of life are using them as a Trojan horse,” Cole Huber from High River, Alberta said. “To continue in this manner of letting everybody into Canada will inevitably be a huge drain on our economy during a recession as well as a threat to Canadians lives and well being.”
“I am signing this because I don’t want to see what happened in Paris happen in Canada,” Lisa Liu from Ottawa, Ontario wrote. “I want my tax money used for the right reasons and right people, not for the people who might turn around to kill us.”
