Maple News reports that this week marks the five-year anniversary of a defining moment in Canadian immigration history — the successful settlement of 25,000 Syrian refugees in just 100 days.
Back in November 2015, the newly elected Liberal government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, launched one of the most ambitious refugee resettlement efforts in modern Canadian history. Trudeau had pledged during the federal election campaign to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of that year, in response to a mounting humanitarian crisis that gripped global attention — notably intensified by the tragic image of a lifeless Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed ashore.
The public overwhelmingly supported the initiative, which quickly became a hallmark of Canada’s humanitarian values. Although the end-of-year timeline was pushed back slightly to allow for better logistical planning and infrastructure preparation, Canada officially met its target on February 29, 2016 — just 100 days after the operation began.
The scale of the effort required unparalleled collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal governments. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) mobilized civil servants who worked through holidays, weekends, and year-end breaks. Teams were dispatched to the Middle East to conduct interviews, health screenings, and security background checks while securing safe transport for incoming families.
Daily briefings engaged senior officials across departments and provinces, synchronizing resources for resettlement services such as housing, language training, healthcare, and education. Settlement organizations, faith groups, businesses, and thousands of private sponsors contributed significantly to helping newcomers rebuild their lives.
The success of Operation Syrian Refugees not only fulfilled a major campaign promise but also underscored Canada’s reputation as a global leader in refugee resettlement. It became a case study in how coordinated government action and public support can drive meaningful humanitarian impact.
Now, five years later, many of those resettled Syrians have integrated into Canadian society — contributing to local communities, entering the workforce, starting businesses, and enriching Canada’s multicultural landscape.
The 2015–2016 Syrian refugee resettlement mission remains a milestone in Canada’s immigration narrative, reflecting the nation’s capacity, compassion, and commitment to international responsibility.