The Government of Canada committed to resettling 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016. To support that effort, the Government announced in November 2015 that it would invest up to $678 million over six years toward expediting the resettlement of Syrian refugees and ensuring integration support for them. In addition, the Government contributed $100 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries, including the identification of refugees.
The total amount was an estimate of the work required of the Government of Canada and its partners to fulfill this commitment and included contingency funds and amounts for partners such as the Canadian Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
On February 27, 2016, the Government fulfilled its commitment to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada. However, the important work of settlement continues, and will do so for a number of years.
The table below is an overview of the Government of Canada 2015–2016 preliminary expenditures for this initiative. It summarizes the costs, by phase and by federal department or agency. In 2015-2016, the Government spent $319 million, approximately $136 million less than planned.
Lower costs for transportation and overseas processing, in addition to unused contingency funds and the non-activation of the interim lodging sites on Canadian Forces bases all contributed to the Government coming under budget.
Resettling of 25,000 Syrian Refugees
2015-2016 Preliminary Expenditures, by activity
Figures are preliminary pending finalization of Public Accounts.
Partner costs exclude Employee Benefit Plan costs and accommodation costs. These costs will be reflected in the final expenditure report.
Nearly 65 percent of the total expenditures were grants and contributions, of which 32 percent were for the UNHCR, 6 percent for the IOM and 2 percent for the Red Cross. The remaining 35 percent represents operating expenditures that include salary, travel and logistics, and other corporate support.
Over the next five years, the Government of Canada will continue to invest in the settlement of these Syrian refugees to ensure that they integrate into and contribute fully to the Canadian economy and their communities.
The table below provides a detailed costs breakdown by activity and by department or agency.
Funding for in-Canada reception covers costs for such things as the rental and management of the welcome centres in Toronto and Montreal, bus transportation, hotels and winter clothing, and includes funding given to the Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations to support arrivals in home communities. It is worth noting that the welcome centers were only set up to welcome the initial 25,000 refugees, given the high flow of people arriving in a short period of time.
Find out more details about the five phases referenced in the tables.
Resettling of 25,000 Syrian Refugees – 2015-2016 Preliminary Expenditures, by activity
Figures are preliminary pending finalization of Public Accounts.
Partner costs exclude Employee Benefit Plan costs and accommodation costs. These costs will be reflected in the final expenditure report.
