CIMM – Initial Evacuation Efforts – February 8, 2023
Implicated Recommendations:
N/A
Key Messages
- In the days following the collapse of the Government of Afghanistan, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), under Operation AEGIS, worked alongside Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) employees to help evacuate approximately 3,700 individuals from Afghanistan, the majority of whom were transported on 15 CAF flights.
- The Government had to remain nimble and adapt to an ever-changing environment as we worked to get as many people out as possible.
- Due to the grave security conditions on the ground, the Government announced the end of evacuation operations on August 26, 2021. Canada, like its allies, would have remained in Afghanistan longer to continue the evacuation, but the security situation did not permit efforts to continue safely.
- Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan and the risks posed to many vulnerable Afghans.
- The Government of Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people, and will continue to do all it can to support them.
Supplementary Messages
Responsive on Caretaker Convention
- The writs of election were issued by Governor General Mary Simon on August 15, 2021, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requested the dissolution of Parliament for an election.
- While the caretaker convention dictates that it is incumbent upon a government to act with restraint during an election period, the response to the crisis in Afghanistan was considered an urgent issue at the time, and work continued to bring Canadians and foreign nationals from Afghanistan safely.
- For example, during the period in question, several temporary public policies were signed and/or updated to facilitate resettlement of Afghans, including those with a significant and/or enduring relationship to Canada (updated August 22, 2021), those being airlifted from Afghanistan (signed August 25, 2021), and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) locally-engaged staff (signed September 19, 2021).
- Supporting refugees from Afghanistan was also listed as an urgent issue in the Privy Council Office’s briefing book for the Prime Minister.
Supporting Facts and Figures
- With regard to the estimated 3,700 evacuees that Canada transported or facilitated the transport of from Afghanistan in August 2021:
- Canada’s operation in Afghanistan involved close to 555 CAF members, operating strategic airlifts through 15 CAF flights and two chartered civilian flights between August 4 and 27, 2021.
- Approximately 2,650 Afghan nationals were evacuated in total, including 1,712 (892 + 820) Afghan nationals referred by GAC or DND.
- Of the estimated 3,700 evacuees, approximately 1,524 identified as female.
- Approximately 242 people from other nations were evacuated:
- seven foreign diplomats;
- 175 United States Special Immigrant Visa holders;
- 60 interpreters who worked for the Italian government;
- As of the last CAF flight on August 25, 2021, approximately 263 evacuees were Canadian.
Background
- As NATO troops began withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 1, 2021, increased security risks in Afghanistan led Canada to proactively prepare for the evacuation of its Embassy, including Locally Engaged Staff (LES).
- The Government of Canada started developing public policies in support of Special Immigration Measures that would facilitate the resettlement of LES, as well as other Afghan nationals who were employed or contracted by the Government of Canada.
- On July 22, 2021, the Government of Canada announced a pathway to protection and permanent residency in Canada for Afghans, and their families, at risk due to their significant and/or enduring relationship with Canada. This was the first public policy to be signed to facilitate the evacuation of LES at the Embassy and their family members.
- On July 30, 2021, the Prime Minister approved the CAF to conduct evacuation operations in Afghanistan. Operation AEGIS was launched by DND/CAF to support the Government of Canada’s evacuation of designated Afghan personnel and their families from Kabul, Afghanistan. As a result, the Government of Canada started evacuating people out of Afghanistan with CAF assets on August 4, 2021.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Canada contributed to a coalition effort that evacuated more than 100,000 people out of Afghanistan to various countries.
Processing
- Applications for Afghan nationals were processed as quickly as possible in light of the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan. While the Canadian air bridge was open, IRCC mobilized its global network to prioritize evacuees from Afghanistan.
- IRCC also implemented priority processing in August 2021 for Immediate Family Members of Canadians and Permanent Residents.
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