CIMM – Post-Arrival Supports – Gaza Public Policy – May 27, 2024
Key Facts And Figures
On January 9, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a special temporary resident pathway for extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently residing in Gaza. This measure aims to provide a temporary safe haven for Palestinians directly affected by the crisis in Gaza who have Canadian citizen or permanent resident family members in Canada willing to support them (referred to as anchors).
Key Messages
Approved clients arriving in Canada under this temporary resident pathway, as well as those arriving in Canada following assisted departure from Gaza, will have access to short-term health-care coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program for three months from the date they enter Canada to help address any urgent medical needs upon arrival.
Supplementary Information
Interim Federal Health Program
The Interim Federal Health Program covers the cost of basic health services (e.g., doctor and hospital services), supplemental health services (e.g., urgent dental, vision care, mental health counselling, disability supports) and prescription drugs.
This coverage will help people affected by the crisis in Gaza access Canada’s healthcare system to seek immediate medical attention, and will help mitigate any public health concerns given the current healthcare situation in Gaza.
Once Interim Federal Health Program coverage expires, anchor relatives are asked to provide financial support for any healthcare costs, if not covered by public health insurance.
If pressed on settlement supports:
IRCC is working to enable access to settlement services for those arriving from Gaza, including those arriving as part of the extended family temporary resident pathway.
These free services would include language training, support connecting with the labour market and local community, and other supports, funded under IRCC’s Settlement Program until March 31, 2027.
Through the Settlement Program, federally-funded settlement service organizations also offer newcomers a number of non-clinical mental health and well-being supports. Some organizations deliver short-term counselling as well as community-based health information that promotes mental health awareness and access to health care services, in addition to referrals to community health services.
In addition, the federal Settlement Program offers Case Management as a client-centered, comprehensive approach to service delivery for newcomers facing persistent and multiple barriers to integration, which includes a tailored settlement plan, supported by coordinated referrals to settlement and community services.
IRCC also funds organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to help institutions such as hospitals and community health centres better address newcomers’ mental health needs.
The cost of funding settlement services for up to 1,000 temporary residents from Gaza until March 2027 is estimated at $14.6M over the three years. The extended family member (anchor) in Canada must also attest to their intention to provide a number of supports to meet the immediate and essential needs of clients when they arrive in Canada, for a period of one year.
