The first flight carrying Afghans who assisted the military lands in Canada, with more to follow.

The federal government confirmed Wednesday evening that a government airplane carrying scores of Afghan employees who supported the Canadian military during the Afghan war had landed in Toronto. It's the first flight to arrive as part of a special immigration program designed to bring Afghans in as government-assisted refugees.

"Today, the Government of Canada welcomes the first of a number of flights transporting Afghan refugees who offered critical support to Canadian Armed Forces soldiers in Afghanistan," a statement published by various federal ministers engaged in the resettlement program said.

The interpreters and others who assisted Canadian soldiers throughout the war, as well as their families, are arriving. More planes will come in the "coming days and weeks," according to the administration. Due to security concerns, officials were unable to identify the precise number of passengers on this inaugural government aircraft, which landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

They stated that an expanded program to repatriate Afghans who supported the Canadian military during its 13-year deployment in the nation might benefit thousands of individuals. Interpreters, cooks, drivers, cleaners, and others, as well as their extended family members, are eligible for the program.

The relocation effort became more pressing in recent weeks as the resurgent Taliban recaptured territory and the United States began its military withdrawal from Afghanistan. "The Government has been struck by the urgency on the ground and is working as swiftly as possible to resettle Afghan citizens who have put themselves in grave danger to support Canada's efforts in Afghanistan," the ministers said in a statement.

-