OTTAWA — An announcement about the timing of the first arrivals of planeloads of Syrian refugees could come within hours.
Immigration Minister John McCallum was coy when questioned at a news conference Wednesday, but did allow that news could come very soon.
"I can tell you that the announcement on that issue will be made in coming hours," he said.
"It's possible, though I cannot confirm this, that the announcement will be made by the prime minister. It would not be prudent on my part to upstage the boss."
McCallum said the federal government has begun allocating millions of dollars in funding for Syrian refugees.
He said groups who have formal contracts with the government for settlement services will get more money this year.
"We are increasing the money by $3 million or 25 per cent," he said.
He also said the government is reassuring doctors and the medical community at large that the newcomers will have full health coverage.
"I want to re-emphasize that we have fully restored the interim federal health program for our Syrian refugees ... both the basic benefits and the supplementary benefits will be available to all of them," he said.
The Liberals have promised to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by year's end and a further 15,000 by the end of February.
Planeloads of refugees are expected to begin arriving in Toronto and Montreal within days.
The Liberals say over the next four years, a total of $335 million will be earmarked to support Syrian refugees both in Canada and abroad as the needs arise.
Of that, $94.5 million will be used to provide income support directly to Syrians.
