News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was issued today by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault on the occasion of World Refugee Day, June 20:

I extend a warm welcome to all refugees in New Brunswick and thank those who are helping our newcomers resettle throughout the province.

On Dec. 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly created World Refugee Day to bring attention to the plight of the world’s refugees and to extend to them encouragement, support and respect.

World Refugee Day is dedicated to commemorating the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of refugees. Both New Brunswick and Canada have a long history of helping refugees with resettlement and connecting them with opportunities to rebuild their lives.

Recently, our government announced its commitment to support the federal government’s initiative to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees who were fleeing the civil war in Syria. Since December 2015, New Brunswick has resettled close to 1,500 Syrian newcomers.

New Brunswick’s Refugee Assistance Program centres, immigrant-serving agencies, municipalities, sponsorship groups and volunteers have worked innumerable hours settling Syrian refugees into their communities. All those involved in helping resettle Syrian and other refugees over the years including organizations, volunteers and partners should be extremely proud.

Our government continues to work closely with stakeholder groups on a co-ordinated response to integrate all newcomers into New Brunswick communities, which includes ensuring that services are in place to assist with the settlement of newcomers, create welcoming communities, and develop labour market opportunities.

On World Refugee Day, I encourage all New Brunswickers to continue to set positive, heart-warming examples of welcoming our newest New Brunswickers into our communities and to recognize the strength, courage, and resilience of all newcomers who have resettled in our province throughout history.