Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have once again opened their arms to welcome 76 Afghan federal government-assisted refugees. Many of these newly arrived residents, who served and sacrificed alongside Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan, deserve an embrace of freedom and peace that our duty of citizenship calls us to offer.

These individuals and families departed Islamabad, Pakistan on a Government of Canada charter flight late on September 8 and landed at Halifax Stanfield Airport at 5:00 a.m. Friday September 9. The 76 individuals and families, with Newfoundland and Labrador as their final destination, proceeded on commercial flights over the following days with the last flight landing at St. John’s International Airport at 2:00 p.m. on September 11. On a day that has come to symbolize the very best of our province, we once again provided a safe haven to those fleeing fear.

The staff of the Association for New Canadians continue their tireless work to settle these individuals and families who are bravely preparing to begin their new lives. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering to help welcome our newest residents is asked to contact the Association for New Canadians.

This is just the latest group of people looking to Newfoundland and Labrador as a place to build a peaceful and prosperous life. Let us clear a path so their dreams can become reality because when they succeed, we all succeed.

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Media contact
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377, 709-691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca