UN secretary general praises Canada’s response to Syrian refugees crisis

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon in Ottawa
(Photo courtesy of PM Trudeau’s official Twitter account).

MONTREAL—United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has again praised Canada’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

Ban said in Montreal today that while the 25,000 refugees who are coming may be a small number, Canada’s decision still represents a great example of international solidarity.

He says Canada has shown compassionate leadership and generosity and that more developed countries should be helping to shoulder the responsibility of caring for Syria’s displaced people.

Ban added he met about 40 Syrian refugees on Thursday during a visit to Canada’s Parliament in Ottawa.

He says the refugees were very happy knowing their lives had been protected and their human dignity respected.

The secretary general is scheduled to visit the offices of the International Civil Aviation Organization this afternoon and meet with Premier Philippe Couillard tonight.

On Saturday, he will visit an anti-radicalization centre with Mayor Denis Coderre.