CIMM – Gaza – International Engagement – May 27, 2024

Key Messages

• Canada is deeply concerned with the situation in Gaza and continues to work closely with like-minded countries and with other countries in the region to support exit of our clients from Gaza.
• The Government of Canada has been engaging with Israel and Egypt since the program was announced to secure exits for the extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents that are in Gaza.
• Canada remains the only country to implement a special program for the extended family of its citizens and permanent residents in Gaza in response to the current crisis.

Supplementary Information

If pressed on engagement:

• The Government of Canada remains actively engaged with international partners, especially the governments of Israel and Egypt, to facilitate the exit of clients under the Gaza temporary public policy. These engagement efforts involve significant interventions with senior officials in both governments.

If pressed on Australia’s program:

• We understand that Australia is allowing individuals impacted by the conflict to apply for visitor visas as a part of Australia’s existing visa system; they have not been specially created in response to the situation in Gaza.
• We also understand that these visas holders are not part of any assisted departure from Gaza.