Mr. Speaker, since October, our government has been encouraging Canadians in Syria to voluntarily leave while commercial means are still available, but we are tremendously concerned about the deteriorating situation, the violence in Syria, so today we declared a voluntary evacuation of all Canadians.
As part of this declaration, we will provide facilitated services and specialized consular support. Our team in Damascus and our embassy are available to assist Canadians in Syria, their spouses and dependent children. We encourage them to get out as soon as possible.
This government, this House and the Canadian people stand behind the people of Syria at this time of need. We will do everything we can to ensure that they achieve the same democracy and freedom that is spreading around that region and that we enjoy here in Canada.