Federal Government's Cynicism Evident Once Again
Toronto Vigil calling
for government to bring
family members of Canadian residents and citizens to Canada, February
11, 2024
Despite repeated pleas by Canadians to do something to save the lives of Palestinians caught in the Israeli genocide in Gaza, it took the Trudeau Liberal government a full three months to respond. That response is a paltry temporary resident pathway, capped at 1,000 persons, for certain extended family members in Gaza of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The special measures, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) informs, provide temporary asylum for Palestinians who:
- live in Gaza;
- are related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who lives or intends to live in Canada; and
- will be supported in Canada by the Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a period of one year.
Eligible family members include a spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, as well as their immediate family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child and dependent child of a dependent child).
"Once in Canada, eligible people can apply for a fee-exempt study permit or open work permit under the measures already announced."
"They will also have access to three months of health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program to help address any urgent medical needs upon arrival, as well as settlement services such as language training and support connecting with the labour market and local community."
IRCC notes, however, that "movement out of Gaza remains extremely challenging, and may not be possible due to entry and exit requirements set by countries and other actors in the region. Applicants who are able to exit Gaza will also need to meet all admissibility requirements including biometrics before they can be approved to come to Canada."
The department further informs that the "exemptions for temporary resident visa applicants under the public policy expire January 9, 2025, or when 1,000 temporary resident visa applications have been received and accepted for processing, whichever comes first."
The "multiple entry temporary resident visas" are valid for up to three years or the length of the person's passport validity, whichever comes first."
This article was published in
Volume 54 Number 14 - February 28, 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/MS54144.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca