“A government plane carrying 163 Syrian refugees has arrived in Canada, as part of the newly elected Liberal government’s pledge to take in 25,000 people by the end of February. Greeting the new arrivals, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country was “showing the world how to open our hearts.” A second group of refugees is due to arrive in the southern city of Montreal on Saturday, bringing the total to 300.

The plane, which touched down just before midnight local time, was met by Trudeau, the ministers for health, defence and immigration, Ontario’s premier and the mayor of Toronto, Canadian newspaper the Toronto Star reports. Many well-wishers also arrived to greet the refugees who were given welcome bags upon arrival.”