CIMM – Minister’s Opening Statement– May 27, 2024

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you for inviting me back to discuss measures my department is taking in response to the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan.

The situation in Gaza is changing by the day, making our efforts both more urgent and more challenging

As you’re aware, Canada has no control over who can exit Gaza or when. And we can only issue temporary resident visas to people once they’ve left Gaza, not before.

The border issue has been our biggest challenge since we implemented the pathway in January to offer temporary resident visas to Gazans who have extended family in Canada. I understand that the border is currently closed, but we hope with the collaboration of Israel and Egypt that people under the program will be able to exit Gaza once it reopens.

I empathize with the anguish they’re feeling as they wait for this initiative to prove effective.

Canada continues to put forward the names of applicants who passed our preliminary screening to local authorities. Israel and Egypt are both important partners in implementing these temporary, humanitarian measures. Canada is working closely with both governments at every level to facilitate the exit of extended family members and advocate for their safety.

In the meantime, we’re processing applications from people who applied for these visas in Gaza and have exited without our help.

While Canada continues its diplomatic efforts, we remain hopeful for future improvements to the situation. So we’re continuing to prepare.

Given the many Canadians and permanent residents seeking to help their extended family in Gaza, I’ve increased the number of temporary resident visa applications that will be accepted into processing under our public policy—from 1,000 to 5,000.

With this cap increase, we’ll be ready to help more people as the situation evolves.

We also have a process that allows people who already possess a valid temporary resident or super visa to identify themselves if they need our help to exit Gaza.

This process can also be used by those outside of Gaza to get help in finalizing their applications, whether it’s part of our special measures or a regular visa.

Regarding Sudan, we’ve been working to welcome people living there when the conflict broke out a year ago—Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals alike—in all immigration categories.

Over the past year, we’ve welcomed more than 4,000 people from Sudan as permanent residents and 1,500 as temporary residents.

In February, we introduced a new, temporary family-based humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for those who fled the conflict and may now come to Canada to be with their extended family. This program will enable Canada to help even more people from Sudan.

Intake has been paused as of May 6th as we may have filled the spaces currently available. We’ll post more information on our website if we can accept more applications.

We’re also continuing to waive fees and extend certain exemptions to those already in Canada, including the ability to apply inland to study or work, to extend existing temporary status, or to apply for permanent residence under the family class. These measures are available until October 27, 2024, to align with the expiry of similar measures for Sudanese nationals in Canada as temporary residents.

In keeping with our long-standing tradition, Canada is also welcoming people from Sudan as government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees. Almost one thousand refugees were approved to come to Canada in the past year. We’re working with our partners to expedite all arrivals to Canada under our special measures.

Our focus remains on keeping families together and bringing them to safety as quickly as we can.

Thank you. I’m happy to take your questions.