Canada to Welcome 1,300 More Karen Refugees

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration,
today announced that Canada will welcome an additional 1,300 Karen
refugees from Burma (also known as Myanmar) in 2008 and 2009.

The Karen, a minority ethnic group, fled their country in 1995 following
a major offensive by the Burmese government army against the Karen
National Union. They are among the 140,000 Burmese refugees who have been
living in Thai refugee camps for up to 20 years.

"Canada continues to welcome the Karen refugees who have been living
under some of the world's most difficult conditions for many years," said
Minister Finley. "Canada is a blessed nation by almost any standard and
Canadians should be proud that we are able to help those who most need
it. By working together, we will be able to offer protection to more than
3,900 Karen refugees from some of the most remote camps in Thailand."

Last year following the Government's February 2007 announcement, Canada
selected another 1,800 Karen. In the previous year, Canada welcomed more
than 800 Karen refugees.

Canadian officials recently visited the camps and selected another 1,300
persons for resettlement most of whom are relatives of the 2,600 selected
previously. Arrivals are expected to begin later this year and will
continue throughout 2009.

The Karen who have arrived to date have settled all across Canada. They
have been welcomed by communities in Charlottetown, St. John's (Nfld),
Moncton, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Toronto, Kitchener, Windsor, Regina,
Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Prince Albert (SK), Moose Jaw,
Vancouver, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Lethbridge. Citizenship and
Immigration Canada continues to work closely with Canadian volunteers,
sponsors and settlement workers to assist in the settlement and
integration of these refugees.

Contacts:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Minister's Office
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
613-954-1064

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Communications Branch
Karen Shadd-Evelyn
Spokesperson, Media Relations
613-952-1650

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