Australia rescues 26 refugees while Canada resettles 20,490 By Nicole Hasham Canada has resettled 800 times more Syrian refugees in three months than Australia has in almost twice that time, fuelling concern the delay is pushing desperate families in the Middle East into a perilous crossing to Europe. 
Labor has called on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to explain why Australia has resettled just 26 Syrian refugees five months after former Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced an emergency intake of 12,000 "as quickly as possible".
In just three months, the Canadian government has flown in 20,490 Syrian refugees.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says families sheltering in nations such as Lebanon and Jordan are struggling to find shelter, food, education and work, prompting them to risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean.
Refugee settlement agencies in Australia that readied for a large influx of Syrians, including renting homes and amassing staff, have reportedly been forced to put their plans on hold.
But a spokesman for Mr Dutton said the government is conducting rigorous security and other checks that cannot be rushed.
At a Senate estimates hearing last week, immigration officials revealed just 26 Syrian refugees had arrived since the 12,000 intake was announced in   September.
In contrast, official Canadian Government figures on Wednesday showed 20,490 Syrian refugees had landed in that country since   November 4. A total of 25,000 are due to arrive by the end of   February.
A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, a government agency, said the nation was "getting refugees here as quickly as we can, and we're doing it in a way that is correct and appropriate and takes due concern for security, medical and other issues".
This included in-depth family interviews, the collection of biographical information and biometrics such as fingerprints and digital photos, checked against databases.
All refugees also underwent full medical examinations and criminal and security checks.
Canada's progressive Trudeau government was reportedly forced to defend its refugee screening last month after it was scrutinised by a Republican-controlled United States Senate committee.
Asked why the Turnbull government was lagging so far behind Canada, a spokeswoman for Mr Dutton said his government "takes our national security extremely seriously".
"Rigorous security checks are being conducted by Australian government agencies at a number of key points during visa processing, including the checking of biometric data," the spokeswoman said.
"Processing time varies according to the circumstances of individual applicants ... we will not rush this process and it will take whatever time it takes."
Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles said appropriate health and security checks were needed but "this is a pitifully small number" of refugees.
"The government made it pretty clear they would seek to relocate the people as quickly as possible. Mr Dutton needs to explain why the go-slow," he said.