Canada is set to approve 1,000 visa applications from relatives of Canadians residing in Gaza who seek to escape the escalating violence in the region. This public policy will be put into effect starting next week, following months of protests by Palestinian Canadians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Visas granted under this program will have a duration of three years, provided that Canadian families supporting Palestinians from Gaza are willing to offer financial assistance throughout this period.
IRCC Minister Marc Miller announced this policy last month, acknowledging uncertainty about the number of beneficiaries it might have, as reported by The Canadian Press' Laura Osman.
A week later, the IRCC released the written policy detailing the program:
In the policy brief, Miller stated, "I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are public policy considerations that justify the granting of an exemption from the application of the listed provisions of the Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) to foreign nationals who meet the eligibility criteria and conditions listed below."
The conditions are divided into three parts:
Part 1 – The foreign national must:
The National Council of Canadian Muslims is urging Ottawa to remove the cap entirely, allowing all Palestinians who can live with their family in Canada to leave the Gaza Strip without restrictions.
However, IRCC spokesperson Matthew Krupovich explained that the cap considers the volatile situation on the ground and the challenges that Canada and other like-minded countries face in facilitating the movement of people from Gaza to Egypt.
Marc Miller has previously commented on the difficulty of ensuring the safe passage of individuals out of Palestinian territory due to Canada's lack of control over the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages.
Here are the pros and cons of Canada's decision to accept 1,000 visa applications from relatives of Canadians living in Gaza:
Pros:
Visas granted under this program will have a duration of three years, provided that Canadian families supporting Palestinians from Gaza are willing to offer financial assistance throughout this period.
IRCC Minister Marc Miller announced this policy last month, acknowledging uncertainty about the number of beneficiaries it might have, as reported by The Canadian Press' Laura Osman.
A week later, the IRCC released the written policy detailing the program:
In the policy brief, Miller stated, "I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are public policy considerations that justify the granting of an exemption from the application of the listed provisions of the Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) to foreign nationals who meet the eligibility criteria and conditions listed below."
The conditions are divided into three parts:
Part 1 – The foreign national must:
- Submit an application for a temporary resident visa to Canada.
- Have been in the Gaza Strip on the day they submitted their application.
- Hold a Palestinian Territory passport.
- Identify a Canadian anchor.
- Be the spouse, common-law partner, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of the anchor identified in condition iv. of Part 1.
- Provide a signed statutory declaration from the anchor identified in condition iv. of Part 1, in which the anchor confirms their intention to provide support for the foreign national and their family members, and their agreement not to accept any financial compensation from the foreign national and their family members.
- Submit the application electronically (applied online) or using an alternate application format provided by the department if the foreign national or their representative indicates they are unable to apply online.
- Be a family member of a foreign national who has applied under this public policy and has met the conditions listed in Part 1.
- Submit an application for a temporary resident visa.
- Submit the application electronically (applied online) or using an alternate application format provided by the department if the foreign national or their representative indicates they are unable to apply online.
- Hold a temporary resident visa issued following facilitation under Part 1 or Part 2.
- Seek to enter Canada as a visitor.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims is urging Ottawa to remove the cap entirely, allowing all Palestinians who can live with their family in Canada to leave the Gaza Strip without restrictions.
However, IRCC spokesperson Matthew Krupovich explained that the cap considers the volatile situation on the ground and the challenges that Canada and other like-minded countries face in facilitating the movement of people from Gaza to Egypt.
Marc Miller has previously commented on the difficulty of ensuring the safe passage of individuals out of Palestinian territory due to Canada's lack of control over the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages.
Here are the pros and cons of Canada's decision to accept 1,000 visa applications from relatives of Canadians living in Gaza:
Pros:
- Humanitarian Assistance: This policy allows for the reunification of families torn apart by conflict, providing an opportunity for relatives in Gaza to escape violence and seek refuge with their Canadian family members.
- Safety and Security: Providing a legal and safe avenue for Palestinians in Gaza to come to Canada, reduces the likelihood of individuals resorting to dangerous and illegal means to escape the conflict, such as human trafficking or risky border crossings.
- International Relations: This move demonstrates Canada's commitment to international humanitarian efforts and human rights, potentially improving its reputation on the global stage.
- Support for Canadian Citizens: It offers a practical solution for Canadian citizens who have family members in Gaza, giving them peace of mind and reducing their stress and anxiety about the safety of their loved ones.
- Temporary Solution: The three-year visa duration allows families to temporarily escape the conflict and instability in Gaza while maintaining ties with their Canadian relatives.
- Limited Cap: The 1,000 application cap could leave many Palestinian families in Gaza without a chance to reunite with their Canadian relatives, potentially causing frustration and despair among those left behind.
- Potential for Favoritism: The program's eligibility criteria, including the need for a Canadian anchor, might inadvertently favor some families over others, leading to allegations of bias or unfairness.
- Financial Responsibility: Canadian families supporting their relatives from Gaza will be financially responsible for them during their stay, which could place a significant burden on some families and strain their resources.
- Security Concerns: There could be concerns about the security screening process for applicants, as ensuring that individuals with malicious intentions do not gain entry is critical for Canada's national security.
- Limited Duration: While the three-year visa is a temporary solution, it doesn't provide a long-term path to citizenship or permanent residency for the individuals from Gaza, potentially leaving them in limbo after the visa expires.
- Capacity Issues: The Canadian immigration system may face challenges in processing and accommodating the influx of visa applicants, potentially leading to delays and administrative issues.
