- Canada will host the extended families of its citizens living in Gaza for a maximum of 3 years.
- People’s safety is the first concern.
- Miller predicted that hundreds more people might be resettled in Canada.
Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, has stated that Canada will host the extended families of its citizens living in Gaza for a maximum of three years.
With effect from January 9, the change enables Canadians to be reunited with their spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren.
Gaza Nationals
Keeping people safe is the main goal, since Gaza has become “unlivable” due to the humanitarian crisis. More than 600 Canadians, along with their spouses and kids, were the government‘s primary preoccupation when they were in Gaza.
As long as there is conflict in Gaza, Miller predicted that hundreds more people might be resettled in Canada. He did, however, caution that it is “very difficult” to leave Gaza and that not everyone will be able to.
Applications for permanent residency from Palestinians are to be given priority by immigration officials, and before boarding planes to Canada, new arrivals must submit to verification and security checks, which will include a biometrics test in Cairo.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims’ Ahmad Al-Qadi expressed appreciation for the qualifying criteria being expanded to include the extended family of Canadian citizens.
The Gaza War started on October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,140 people, most of them civilians. Since hostilities began, eight Canadian nationals and one individual with strong ties to Canada have perished in the area.
