CANADA TO WELCOME 45,000 REFUGEES THIS YEAR, MINISTER SAYS

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced plans to expedite applications and increase the number of refugees to Canada this year to 45,000 from 23,500 and will also expedite the processing of applications for permanent residency. Mendicino also said he would extend the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot and announced more support for Canada's private refugee sponsorship program by investing up to $3 million to support nine organizations. He announced the new initiatives ahead of World Refugee Day this Sunday.