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They might come by military transport, on chartered flights or warships; from Jordan, Turkey or Lebanon; to army bases or the homes of generous Canadians.

When it comes to fulfilling the government’s commitment of bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada over the next eight weeks, “all options are on the table,” said John McCallum, Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, during his first news conference since taking over the cabinet post from Chris Alexander.

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“Whatever works, whatever is cost effective, whatever will get them here safely and quickly. So yes, we’re looking at the possibility of commercial airlines. We’re looking at the possibility of the air force. We’re looking at the possibility of ships. All of these things are being considered as we speak, and all will be used to the extent that they are needed to get the job done.”

It will be up to a new Ad Hoc Committee on Refugees, chaired by Health Minister Jane Philpott, to figure out how.