OTTAWA: Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on Thursday that the country would welcome extended families of Canadians in war-hit Gaza for up to 3 years.
The step, which is due to take effect on January 9, 2024 will permit Canadians to reunite with spouses, kids, grandchildren regardless of age, relatives and their immediate family members, as well as grandparents and parents.
The Minister said the objective of the policy change is “to get people secure and safe” as the humanitarian situation has made the Gaza Strip “unlivable.”
Canada to Receive Citizens’ Extended Families from Gaza: Immigration Minister
The government had earlier focused on getting over 600 Canadians, their children and spouses out of Gaza, AFP reported.
The Minister estimated that it could see hundreds additional resettled in Canada while war continues to rage in the Gaza Strip.
Marc Miller stressed at a press conference, however, that it is “very difficult to leave the Gaza Strip and may not be possible for every person. He said that he also issued directives to immigration authorities to prioritize permanent residency requests for Palestinian people.
Ahmad Al-Qadi, with the National Council of Canadian Muslims thanked the government of Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the move.
Israel’s bombardment and ground attack has killed more than 20,000 people, mostly children and women, according to Gaza’s government.
Eight Canadian nationals and one person with deep connections to Canada have been killed in the region since the war broke out.
