Plane of adopted Haitian children to arrive Sunday

Plane of adopted Haitian children to arrive Sunday

Updated: Sat Jan. 23 2010 12:35:13 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

The first plane of Haitian children to be adopted by Canadian families will arrive in Ottawa Sunday morning, Canada's immigration minister has confirmed.

The government has approved a list of 154 adoption files that had been pending. Another 86 files have been fast-tracked, said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney at a press conference offering updates on Haiti.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, Defence Minister Peter Mackay and International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda were all in attendance.

The Canadian death toll has been confirmed at 17, said Cannon, adding that since Haiti has called off its search and rescue efforts, that number will likely rise. Another 236 Canadians remain missing.

In addition, 190 Canadians are awaiting evacuation from Port-au-Prince at the Canadian embassy.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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