Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, January 27, 2016.

Canada rejected Wednesday U.S. security concerns over its fast-tracked resettlement of thousands of Syrian refugees, as the Senate in Washington prepares to hold a hearing on the repercussions for America.

“We have put in place layers of security activity to ensure that our refugee initiative with respect to Syria can be successful,” Canadian public safety minister Ralph Goodale told parliament.

“The program is working well and indeed it will resolve in something that Canadians can be very, very proud of,” he added in response to questions about why the Ottawa government declined an invitation to appear before the US Senate hearing.

The U.S. congressional panel is meeting next Wednesday to consider “Canada’s Fast-Track Refugee Plan: Unanswered Questions and Implications for U.S. National Security.”

It is scheduled to hear from a Toronto immigration lawyer who has criticized Canada’s Syrian refugee plan, calling it unrealistic, border officials and others.

Goodale said U.S. officials have been fully briefed on Canada’s refugee resettlement “and they understand exactly the layers of security screening that are in place,” including U.N. assessments of asylum seekers, collection of biometrics and checks against security databases.

A spokeswoman for Canada’s foreign affairs minister added, “We have emphasized and will continue to emphasize the integrity and robustness of our approach to the selection and screening of the Syrian refugees under consideration.”

Canada’s new Liberal government pledged to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees – more than double the U.S. intake – by the end of February.

Its initial plan was to bring them to Canada by the end of 2015, but that was pushed back in response to criticism that the government was moving too fast, amid security concerns in the aftermath of deadly attacks in Paris, as well as due to logistical issues.

Related articles across the web

• Canadian survey aims to improve data on state of cyber security here
• Morning Brief: Friday, December 18, 2015
• LCBO Selling Marijuana 'Makes Sense,' Ontario Premier
• Researchers determine where Canadian data transfers increase exposure to US state surveillance
• CAD to USD: This Could Lead to a Canadian Dollar Collapse
• Should provincial liquor stores serve as neighbourhood pot dealers?
• Cybersecurity focus increases in Canada, U.S. and U.K.
• Canadian News Anchor Warns Americans About National Gun Registry
• QuickList: November inflation rate for selected Canadian cities
• Canada faces tough realities to reach Paris climate target