Immigration Minister John McCallum reaffirms support for refugee resettlement - but Ottawa's plans to double number of Syrians are still a fraction of the 4.4 million who have fled civil war.
Previous Conservative government had cut off access to prescription drugs, dental care, vision and additional services such as mental-health providers for certain refugee claimants or refugees.
Syrian refugee family on the first large government flight began their new life in Canada - kitted out with new winter coats - and a warm welcome from PM Justin Trudeau
About 300 people will arrive in the next few days with a chance to make a home in Canada thanks to private sponsors who've been working for months to prepare for them.
Temporary processing centres have been set up to handle the waves of newcomers at Toronto's Pearson airport and Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport.
Ottawa's mayor warns that Canadian cities are going to need federal and provincial financial support very soon if they are to house 25,000 refugees over the next few months.