How Exceptional? Welcoming Refugees the Canadian Way

During the global attempt to respond to the exodus of Syrians into neighboring countries and beyond, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) praised Canada for its intention to resettle 25,000 refugees. Even as many Canadians-and their government-were feeling proud of themselves, others responded with discomfort at the accolades being heaped upon Canada, worrying that they were undeserved. This article is an attempt to assess whether Canada's contribution to global refugee justice deserves accolades or criticism. Canada's central contribution to global refugee justice has been to resettle refugees; I argue that, compared to other resettling states, Canada does well with respect to admitting refugees for resettlement and with respect to the quality of its resettlement. This contribution is small, however, compared to the overwhelming need, not only for resettlement, but also for additional support for refugees throughout their entire journey. Canada's overall contribution to global refugee justice, then, is not exceptional.