A Canadian military plane with 163 Syrian refugees on board is on its way to Toronto carrying the first batch of refugees for resettlement in Canada.
“First flight of Syrian refugees from Lebanon includes 70 Armenian Christians; most all privately sponsored,” tweeted CBC News correspondent Susan Ormiston from Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.
The Canadian military CC-150 transport plane is expected to arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport at about 11:15 p.m. EST.
The flight will land in a specially prepared part of the airport’s infield terminal. Canada Border Services Agency has already set up a screening centre there and even created a children’s play area. Winter clothes to help the refugees cope with the cold will also be distributed.
Airport officials sent out messages on social media asking the public not to come to the terminal to greet the refugees and offer them donations.
“Our Infield Terminal will not be open for the public, media or employees not assigned to work in the area,” the message said.
“Please do not come to the airport to welcome or donate items for the Syrian refugees arriving tonight – we’re so proud that our community wants to help, but such a response would be very overwhelming for those arriving. Safety is our number one priority for all who come through our airport.”
Another CC-150 with Syrian refugees on board is expected to leave Lebanon on Saturday heading for Montreal, but no other flights are scheduled for next week, officials told CBC News.
The Canadian government has pledged to relocate 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before the end of the year, and another 15,000 by the end of March.
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