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By Rebecca Stewart, Trends Editor

January 31, 2017 | 2 min read

Air Canada's latest ad invites viewers to 'meet one of Canada's newest families,' showcasing how the airline helped reunite a family of Syrian refugees who hadn't seen each other for decades.

The emotive film introduces a family of nine who after 18 months in a Turkish refugee camp have made it to Montreal. The brand helped bring them together with their relatives in snowy Victoria, some of whom were seeing one another for the first time in 35 years.

The ad is part of a wider 'Fly the Flag' campaign from J. Walter Thompson Canada for the travel firm, which was first launched during the Rio Olympics to celebrate how Canadians have made their mark on the world.

The Mother of the family can be heard praising Air Canada's team in the spot, saying: "We feel like we are reborn."

Despite being filmed in December, the creative was unveiled on Monday (30 January) following US president Donald Trump's implementation of a strict travel ban preventing people from seven predominantly Muslim countries entering the US, including individuals seeking refuge from places like Iran and Syria.

The UN and the now former US attorney general Sally Yates have condemned the former reality TV star's actions. Many brands, including some of Silicon Valley's biggest players, have also come out against the executive order including Apple, Microsoft, Tinder and Airbnb – which is offering free housing to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US.

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