On May 6, 2022, the Government of Canada accepted over 600 government-assisted and privately-sponsored Afghan refugees, increasing the total number of Afghan nationals arriving in Canada under the special humanitarian resettlement program to 12,605. Honouring World Press Freedom Day, the Government spotlighted journalists and highlighted the challenges of fostering the freedom of expression through the press, and announced its praise to be among the first countries to launch a special program that specifically helps the most vulnerable Afghans, including journalists.