Canada “actively considering” waiving airline tickets loan for refugeesFebruary 11, 2016 - 12:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During a meeting Wednesday, February 10, the Hon. John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, stated that the issue of waiving the airline tickets loan for the Syrian refugees, who arrived in Canada before November 4, is on the government agenda. He further stated that he is “actively considering, actively reviewing this.” The minister was responding to retired Citizenship Judge Aris Babikian’s question as to whether the minister was planning to waive the loan for refugees who arrived before November 4 . The date was an arbitrary one and was set to coincide with the formation and swearing of the current government. The two-tier policy has created huge stress for refugees who arrived before Nov. 4. They find the policy unfair because they have come from the same war-torn country, have experienced the same anguish, and finally, they were counted towered the Liberal Party election promise to settle 25,000 in Canada by the end of 2015. During the meeting the Minister elaborated his government's plan to resettle the Syrian refugees, the challenges his department faces, and the overwhelming generosity of Canadians who welcomed the refugees. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |