Since January 9, 2024, a federal family reunification program has planned to offer 5,000 temporary resident visas (TRV) to refugees from the Gaza Strip with family in the country. One year after its launch, only 550 people were able to benefit from it.
According to the figures transmitted to Duty by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC), 4,663 TRV applications had been accepted for processing as of December 14.
“These temporary resident visa applications are being examined to determine their admissibility and preliminary admissibility,” says IRCC in a written exchange with The Duty.
Of this number, only 979 people who left the Gaza Strip on their own were able to submit their application, mostly in Egypt, and were authorized to come to Canada. And among them, only 550 actually arrived in the country, or less than 12% of VRT requests accepted.
But then, how can we explain this starving number? What’s blocking?
The question was asked once again to the ministry, which points to the closure of the Rafah crossing point on May 7, 2024, to justify the low number of Gazans who have been able to find refuge in Canada over the last 12 months.
This is already what Marc Miller deplored last May, when announcing that Ottawa was going to increase its reception ceiling, from 1000 to 5000 VRTs. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada then explained to a parliamentary committee that “the biggest challenge is what Canada cannot control, that is to say who can leave the band of Gaza.”
IRCC still maintains today that the events leading to the total border closure were unforeseeable and recognizes that this is “a major obstacle” to the success of the program.
“Canada has been pleading with local authorities for the safe exit of our clients from Gaza since the announcement of the program,” the ministry defends, regretting that Canada “does not have the last word in deciding who can leave Gaza, and when.”
What about those stuck in Egypt?
If the argument for closing the Rafah border holds for Gazans still stuck in the Gaza Strip, what about those who managed to find refuge in Egypt before its closure?
According to IRCC figures, 979 were able to submit their application in Egypt where only applicants who have successfully passed biometric, security and admissibility checks are authorized to continue their journey to Canada.
“Our top priority is protecting the health and safety of Canadians […]. As we did with Afghanistan, we developed a multi-step security screening approach. This approach is necessary because IRCC is not present in Gaza and therefore cannot collect biometric data,” explains the ministry.
On the ground, this long process is difficult for families waiting for a visa for Canada. This is attested by the testimonies collected in Egypt by Duty last fall.
Few elected officials for support measures
Asked how the federal program could be improved to facilitate the reunification of Palestinian families, IRCC says it is examining the most appropriate solutions, including determining whether existing immigration and refugee programs are sufficient or whether new programs are necessary. .
Since October 16, Palestinians who have fled the Gaza Strip have been able to receive transitional financial assistance from Ottawa and special support after their arrival in Canada. This aid helps cover basic needs, such as housing, food and clothing. The government also offers temporary medical coverage for three months, services such as language courses, as well as the ability to apply for study and work permits free of charge.
As of December 14, 2024, only 465 people who fled Gaza and have a temporary resident visa or approved temporary residence permit had access to these support measures.
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