Canada welcomes 311 Afghan refugees under resettlement programme

In Halifax, Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, welcomed 311 Afghan nationals who arrived on a charter flight from Pakistan. This flight includes government-assisted refugees, privately sponsored refugees, and extended family members of Afghans who worked for or assisted the Government of Canada.

“This morning I had the privilege of personally welcoming this latest charter flight of Afghan refugees to Canada. These brave newcomers will soon begin their journey to rebuild their lives in communities across the country, and here in the Atlantic region where many will settle. Despite the ongoing challenges, and the difficult work ahead of us, we remain on track to reaching our commitment to resettle at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghans to Canada by the end of 2023,” said Fraser.

These new arrivals are destined for approximately 20 communities across Canada, including Toronto (ON), Fredericton and Saint John (NB).

Resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals is a complex initiative that requires a whole-of-government approach, as well as strong domestic and international partnerships. It is through the critical support of provinces and territories, resettlement service providers, and Canadians who have sponsored Afghan refugees and helped newcomers settle in their communities that we will achieve this goal, the country’s immigration and citizenship agency noted.

It further noted the ongoing collaboration of key international partners including Pakistan, and the tireless work of international organizations and referral partners including the International Organization for Migration, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Frontline Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu.

Together with our partners across the country and around the globe, Canada is making a difference in the lives of Afghan newcomers and their families, it stated.

This latest arrival is the 16th charter flight of Afghan refugees to arrive in Canada from Pakistan since January 2022.

Many will join existing communities of Afghans already settled in Toronto (approximately 4,395 people), Fredericton (75 people) and Saint John (70 people). While many newcomers arrive in Canada’s largest cities, smaller communities offer welcoming, safe places with settlement services, employment opportunities, affordable housing options and a lower cost of living. Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations (RAP SPOs) are working to make newcomers, including Afghans, feel welcomed and integrate successfully in their new communities.