LEAD-IN:

Activists have been calling for better treatment for all migrants and refugees in Canada.

They held a demonstration in Montreal as the first government planes carrying Syrian refugees landed in the country.

STORY-LINE:

Passengers arrive at Montreal Trudeau International Airport.

But away from the cameras, a special flight has landed.

Syrian refugees have made it to Canada on a government aircraft.

It's the second such flight to arrive here after 163 people flew in Toronto on Thursday.

Canada has pledged to resettle 25,000 Syrians by the end of February.

But at a demonstration outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Montreal office, activists are calling for all migrants in Canada to receive the same treatment.

The group Solidarity Across Borders says hundreds of thousands of undocumented and temporary migrants live the country.

It says black Africans are particularly badly affected.

"When the Syrian refugees arrive in Toronto Pearson Airport, and when they will arrive today they will receive a health card, social insurance, they'll be able to integrate right away in society," says Rosalind Wong, spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders .

"It's a model of what is possible and what we demand from the government for thousands of people that are living without status here in Canada," she adds.

All 10 of Canada's provincial premiers support taking in the refugees.

About 800 people destined for Canada are being screened by security and health officers each day in Lebanon and Jordan.

"I hope that the refugees that have just arrived in Canada are real refugees that need Canada's protection and the money that Canada will spend that's taken from my salary and that of other Canadians," says Anas Hariri, a Canadian citizen of Syrian origin.

Community groups have launched initiatives to welcome the new arrivals.

Iran-born Amir Kahdir, a member of the National Assembly of Quebec, is helping a knitting project in a Montreal cafe.

"We are united here, people from Montreal, from other cities of Quebec province who have come together to knit hats - what we call here in Canada 'tuques' - to protect Syrian refugees who have begun to arrive to Canada just today," he says.

Khadir writes welcome messages in Arabic to accompany the hats.

"It's very important to tell children that we need to welcome these people with great solidarity and in an international effort of solidarity," says Marie Vincent, community organiser for la Maison d'Aurore group.

LEAD-IN:

Activists have been calling for better treatment for all migrants and refugees in Canada.

They held a demonstration in Montreal as the first government planes carrying Syrian refugees landed in the country.

STORY-LINE:

Passengers arrive at Montreal Trudeau International Airport.

But away from the cameras, a special flight has landed.

Syrian refugees have made it to Canada on a government aircraft.

It's the second such flight to arrive here after 163 people flew in Toronto on Thursday.

Canada has pledged to resettle 25,000 Syrians by the end of February.

But at a demonstration outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Montreal office, activists are calling for all migrants in Canada to receive the same treatment.

The group Solidarity Across Borders says hundreds of thousands of undocumented and temporary migrants live the country.

It says black Africans are particularly badly affected.

"When the Syrian refugees arrive in Toronto Pearson Airport, and when they will arrive today they will receive a health card, social insurance, they'll be able to integrate right away in society," says Rosalind Wong, spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders .

"It's a model of what is possible and what we demand from the government for thousands of people that are living without status here in Canada," she adds.

All 10 of Canada's provincial premiers support taking in the refugees.

About 800 people destined for Canada are being screened by security and health officers each day in Lebanon and Jordan.

"I hope that the refugees that have just arrived in Canada are real refugees that need Canada's protection and the money that Canada will spend that's taken from my salary and that of other Canadians," says Anas Hariri, a Canadian citizen of Syrian origin.

Community groups have launched initiatives to welcome the new arrivals.

Iran-born Amir Kahdir, a member of the National Assembly of Quebec, is helping a knitting project in a Montreal cafe.

"We are united here, people from Montreal, from other cities of Quebec province who have come together to knit hats - what we call here in Canada 'tuques' - to protect Syrian refugees who have begun to arrive to Canada just today," he says.

Khadir writes welcome messages in Arabic to accompany the hats.

"It's very important to tell children that we need to welcome these people with great solidarity and in an international effort of solidarity," says Marie Vincent, community organiser for la Maison d'Aurore group.

Montreal, Canada - 12 December 2015

1. Wide of interior of Montreal Trudeau International Airport

2. Close of departure board

3. Various of airport terminal interior

Montreal, Canada - 13 December 2015

4. Activists holding demonstration for migrant justice in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Montreal office

5. Close of sign outside office

6. Rosalind Wong, spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders, talking to journalist

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rosalind Wong, spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders:

"When the Syrian refugees arrive in Toronto Pearson Airport, and when they will arrive today they will receive a health card, social insurance, they'll be able to integrate right away in society and that is exactly what is...it's a model of what is possible and what we demand from the government for thousands of people that are living without status here in Canada."

8. Mid of activists

9. Various of activists marching

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Anas Hariri, Canadian citizen of Syrian origin:

"I hope that the refugees that have just arrived in Canada are real refugees that need Canada's protection and the money that Canada will spend that's taken from my salary and that of other Canadians."

Montreal, Canada - 12 December 2015

11. Amir Khadir (right), member of the Quebec National Assembly, talking to a journalist at a Syrian refugee welcoming initiative in a cafe

12. Close of box for collecting hats known as 'tuques'

13. Khadir sitting with women who are knitting hats

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Amir Khadir, member of the Quebec National Assembly:

"We are united here, people from Montreal, from other cities of Quebec province who have come together to knit hats - what we call here in Canada 'tuques' - to protect Syrian refugees who have begun to arrive to Canada just today."

15. Various of Khadir writing welcoming message in Arabic to go with the hats

16. SOUNDBITE (French) Marie Vincent, community organiser with la Maison d'Aurore:

"It's very important to tell children that we need to welcome these people with great solidarity and in an international effort of solidarity."

17. Children knitting hats for refugees