Palestinians wait in queues for complimentary meals in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Global aid organizations report that Gaza is grappling with scarcities of essential provisions, including food and medicine, stemming from the two-and-a-half-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
In response to growing concerns about the safety of Canadians' family members in Gaza, Canada has introduced new immigration measures, according to an announcement by Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. The government plans to issue three-year temporary resident visas to extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently in Gaza. This move aims to facilitate the reunion of families in Canada.
The program is expected to be in effect by January 9, with the government emphasizing its commitment to not let the upcoming holidays hinder the implementation of these measures. Eligible family members include spouses, common-law partners, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Documentation, including proof of relationship and biometrics, will be required for the application process.
In addition to the temporary visas, the federal government is introducing fee-exempt study permits or open work permits for immediate family members of Canadians or permanent residents currently residing in Canada, provided they left Israel or the Palestinian territories on or after October 7.
Minister Miller also announced priority processing for all existing and new permanent residency applications for Palestinians within the family-based streams, acknowledging the challenging living conditions in Gaza.
The measures come amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has created a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating that more efforts are needed beyond the evacuation of over 600 Canadian citizens and their families from Gaza.
The government estimates that these measures could potentially result in hundreds of Canadians' loved ones relocating to Canada, possibly with sponsorship assistance. The move follows pressure from families and the federal NDP to create special pathways for the evacuation of extended family members of Canadians from the region.
While the government continues to work on facilitating evacuations, Minister Miller emphasized that Canada does not have control over who, when, or how many individuals can leave the Gaza Strip. The situation on the ground remains precarious, with ongoing efforts to coordinate with consular staff for additional evacuations.
As part of the broader response, Canada is also urging an immediate ceasefire and has garnered support from organizations like Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). However, CJPME expressed regret that the measures come too late for some Canadians whose family members have already lost their lives in Gaza.
Individuals affected by these measures can inquire through the dedicated phone line at the immigration department: 613-321-4243. For online inquiries, the government recommends using the keyword "MOME2023" when filling out the form. Israa Alsaafin, a Canadian with family members in Gaza, urged the government to act swiftly, emphasizing the urgency of the situation for many Canadians living with the constant worry about the safety of their families.
