Cost of Syrian refugee plan pegged at $1.2B over six years

The cost of the Liberal government’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees is pegged at $1.2 billion over the next six years,

Thestar.com
Nov. 19, 2015

The cost of the Liberal government’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees is pegged at $1.2 billion over the next six years, according to a government document obtained by The Canadian Press.

The document lays out the proposed funding model that says $876.7 million would be needed in this fiscal year alone.

Some of that will be covered by $16.6 million already announced by the previous government in September and $100 million that would come out an existing pool of funds to respond to international crises.

The document suggests the Immigration Department would need $528.4 million this year, and Defence would need $98.7 million.

What’s not clear is whether the cash relates to the year-end target to bring in that many Syrians in total or the Liberals’ promise the government itself would settle that many over a longer time period.

The Immigration department refused to provide any detail, saying they do not comment on leaked documents.