1st Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 149, Issue 178
Thursday, June 20, 2013
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
Citizenship and Immigration
Assistance to Women Refugees
Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, today is World Refugee Day. Many times I have asked whether the government program to support women refugees who have no other means of support still exists. How many women refugees have been brought to our country this year? I do not expect the leader to have those answers today, but I ask that she take my question as notice.
Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I thank Senator Jaffer for the questions. I will try to get those specific numbers.
It is important for all honourable senators to realize that Canada welcomes one out of every ten refugees who resettle around the world — more than any other country. Canada is recognized as a world leader with respect to refugee protection.
I am very happy to find the information requested by the honourable senator. All Canadians should be proud that this country of some 33 million people is a world leader in accepting refugees, with one out of every ten resettling here. It is an incredible record, humanitarian effort and demonstration of good citizenship that Canada is so responsible and so welcoming of so many refugees.
Senator Jaffer: Honourable senators, how can I dispute that? My family and I were recipients of Canadians’ largesse. Obviously, I am very grateful, as is my family, of the great reception we received in this great country.
As the leader knows, I have asked this question many times because of my great concern for the women in refugee camps: How many refugee women who are widows and single mothers with children do we welcome?
Senator LeBreton: I will attempt to obtain that information.