Justin Trudeau’s government announced Thursday that it will give Gazans with extended family in Canada access to three-year temporary residency.
“Leaving Gaza is extremely difficult and may not be possible for everyone as countries set their own entry and exit requirements,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said. , by unveiling this measure.
Thus, Ottawa cannot guarantee that these migrants will be able to leave the war zone in complete safety.
“Since the start of the conflict [au Proche-Orient]”, we are actively working to support the assisted departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their eligible family members from Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” continued Mr. Miller, noting that the government federal government faced difficulties.
Until now, attempting family reunification for nationals stuck in Gaza was only possible in cases where immediate family members were present in Canada.
As part of the new temporary measures announced Thursday, this will be a possible avenue in the case of grandparents, grandchildren as well as brothers and sisters.
At the time of the announcement, the Minister of Immigration did not know how many people could come to Canada with this relaxation, although he mentioned hundreds of nationals.
Gaza became a battlefield after Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers.
In retaliation, Israeli bombings and ground attacks have so far killed 19,600 civilians and combatants in Gaza.
While in Toronto on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Trudeau said that Canada had worked hard to get more than 600 Canadian permanent residents, as well as their spouses and children, out of Gaza, but that there was still much to do.