We all watched in horror this past Friday as terror hit Paris in what news agencies are declaring is France's bloodiest moment since the end of WWII. Reports say that 129 people are dead with 99 others in critical condition. It is also reported that ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack and that some of the terrorists who executed the attack are believed (some reports say "confirmed") to be immigrants from Syria.
All of this is very disturbing to say the least.
SEND A NOTE OF SUPPORT TO FRANCE
We would like to encourage you to take a moment to e-mail France's embassy in Ottawa and send your condolences. Please assure them that as a Canadian you are standing with them and praying for them. Click here to e-mail now: politique@ambafrance-ca.org .
Please also keep those who are still in critical condition from this, and other terrorist attacks, in prayer.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CANADA?
In the wake of reports that at least one of the terrorists in Friday's attack were refugee immigrants from Syria many are raising concerns regarding the new government's ambitious goal to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year.
In order to meet this goal Canada must successfully conduct comprehensive security checks, and health checks, for more than 500 refugees a day. Many analysts are saying it is highly unlikely that the government can do this thoroughly and that the process could put Canadians at risk.
In order to meet the year end deadline Canada is expected to rely heavily on UN security checks prior to a refugee landing in Canada. Once they arrive Canadian authorities are expected to do their own security checking. The challenge with this is that once a refugee has landed in Canada it could be very difficult to deport them even if they do not meet security standards. This is because Canada has a policy of not sending refugees back to regions of the world where they might be at risk (aka: regions of war like Syria).
What is troubling regarding the decision to use UN screening as the guide for initial refugee entrance into Canada is that the terrorist from Friday's attack was reportedly screened by the UN as well. The question of why this man received security clearance remains.
Click here to read more.
[Please click here to watch an informative video between our Director, Faytene Grasseschi, and Majed El Shafie of One Free World discussing the Paris attack and Syrian refugee immigration scenario.]
Though we applaud and agree with the important role that Canada has taken to be a refuge for those in need we also agree that the security of Canadians must be a priority. There is wisdom in ensuring refugees are screened by Canadian authorities prior to arriving in Canada.
If Canada remains safe and secure, we will be able to help more and more people for decades to come. Our security is primary as we seek to truly be a long term refuge for those in need.
IMPORTANT & TIME SENSITIVE ACTION STEPS:
1 - SUPPORT REFUGEES BY GIVING
Please consider supporting worth organizations such as ERDO (the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada) who are doing great work to aid refugees from Syria. Click here to donate now.
2 - PLEASE CONTACT OUR LEADERS IMMEDIATELY
Please take a moment to contact our leaders immediately and ask them to keep their oath to protect Canada's security by ensuring Canada does a thorough and complete security check of all refugees prior to their arrival on Canadian soil (rather than accepting the UN's security checks).
CONTACT E-MAILS
E-mail Prime Minister Trudeau: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
E-mail the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Hon. Stéphane Dion, stephane.dion@parl.gc.ca
E-mail the Minister of Immigration: Hon. John McCallum, john.mccallum@parl.gc.ca
Copy All Three: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca, stephane.dion@parl.gc.ca, john.mccallum@parl.gc.ca
E-mail your MP: Click here to find your MP by postal code.
3 - PLEASE TWEET OUR NEW VIDEO AND TAG THE PRIME MINISTER
If you use Twitter please take a moment to tweet our recent video with Majed El Shafie and tag the Prime Minister ( @justintrudeau )
Video Link Shrunk:
A Tweet You Can Use: http://ow.ly/UFsHm
"@justintrudeau pls watch this vid. Pls have a careful Canadian led screening process for Syrian refugees. http://ow.ly/UFsHm"
4 - PRAY
Our greatest (though not our only) power is in prayer. Please continue to pray for our leaders to have wisdom. Please pray for Paris and all those who lost loved ones in the recent terror attacks. Please pray for those still in critical condition from the attacks. Please pray for the peace and security of Canada and all western nations. Please pray for the leaders of ISIS to come to the saving knowledge of Christ, the Prince of Peace.
