Saskatchewan’s premier is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suspend the federal government’s plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year.
Brad Wall raised concerns about the fast-tracking of refugee claims in a letter released Monday.
“I am concerned that the current date-driven plan could severely undermine the refugee screening process,” Wall wrote.
The premier asked Trudeau to suspend the plan to bring 25,000 to Canada by the end of the year, and to re-evaluate the goal and the processes in place to achieve it.
“I understand that the overwhelming majority of refugees are fleeing violence and bloodshed, and pose no threat to anyone,” Wall said in the letter.
“Your desire to help these people is noble. We share that desire. However, if even a small number of individuals who wish to do harm to our country are able to enter Canada as a result of a rushed refugee process, the results could be devastating.”
Wall said the recent attacks in Paris “are a grim reminder of the death and destruction even a small number of malevolent individuals can inflict upon a peaceful country and its citizens.”
“Surely, we do not want to be date-driven or numbers-driven in an endeavor that may affect the safety of our citizens and the security of our country,” he wrote.
Wall said Saskatchewan will support any delays in resettling Syrian refugees in order to ensure there is appropriate screening and security checks.
“We support a redoubling of screening and security efforts erring on the side of caution, deliberativeness and discernment in this matter,” Wall said.
Refugee resettlement is among the topics that will be discussed when Trudeau meets with Canada’s premiers next week. Wall asked that the premiers be provided with a complete intelligence briefing on the terrorist threat in Canada today, and how the federal government plans to keep ISIS-trained operatives out of the country.
Premier Brad Wall's letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
