Hi, newzea7.  "Canadians would not countenance such a policy." Which "policy": allowing 1.5 million migrants in within 5 years or leaving them "to fend for themselves"?  
You're right--it isn't cheap.  And, after WW I, Britain actually paid CP steamships (and others) to take the surplus population--which had served in WW I--off their hands.  My grandmother grabbed the opportunity.  

Think you're on to something with national daycare program.  Wonder what the cost difference is between that one annual, and the cost of our refugee program?  Anybody?