The Canadian government is working to clarify the impact of a travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ban was imposed specifically on seven predominately Muslim countries.
In a statement issued through Facebook, Trump defends the move saying it’s similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months.
Trump insists it’s not a ban on Muslims, noting the seven countries named are ones previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.
Meantime, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s been assured Canadian passports holders, including dual citizens, are not impacted by the ban and can travel freely.
Ontario is emphasizing its doors are open to receiving immigrants and refugees, in the wake of U.S. President Trump’s travel ban.
The province’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Laura Albanese the government is committed to ensuring the province continues to be a safe destination for members of all faiths.
Since December 2015, Ontario has received about 20-thousand refugees, most of them fleeing the Syrian crisis.