The issue focused on the lack of clarity in the legislation when it came to the number of refugees allowed to come to Canada in 2015, and how long the new program would operate.

"This is a very serious matter," Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa. "This is something we have to work with."

The government says it will provide the information by the end of March, with further details coming later.

"Our government is making it easy for Canadians to know exactly how to apply