Calls grow for Canada to help extended family members out of Gaza

As death tolls continue to rise, many Canadians who have family stuck in Gaza are joining in an NDP call for Canada to help extended family members escape the territory.

Most Canadians who have extended family members in the Palestinian territory have been told that any relatives beyond spouses and children do not qualify to come to the country.

The federal NDP have asked for Immigration Minister Marc Miller to issue special visas that would allow for extended relatives to get out of Gaza, but Miller says a Canadian visa isn’t enough to get people into Egypt.

As of the latest update from Global Affairs, Canada has negotiated with Israel and Egypt to let approximately 600 people through the Rafah border crossing.

Will the Liberals immediately enact special immigration measures to include extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents from Gaza? @melaniejoly @MarcMillerVM pic.twitter.com/Ylw5bEFh2B

— Jenny Kwan (@JennyKwanBC) December 5, 2023

That agreement, however, is limited only to those who qualify as Canadians, Canadian permanent residents and those who meet the stringent government definition of an eligible family member, though there have been some exceptions.

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That definition limits eligible individuals to only spouses, children and common law partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It notably does not include parents, siblings or any adult children over the age of 22.

In a statement, Global Affairs failed to address questions surrounding what exactly those exceptions to the rules are. The department simply reiterated the policy and said it does not comment on specific cases due to privacy concerns.

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan asked the minister to formalize the process of getting extended family members out of Gaza.

At #CIMM I asked Immigration Minister @MarcMillerVM if he will consider expanding the definition of immediate family so we can help more people with strong ties to Canada in Gaza come to safety, especially those who have lost their Canadian family members. https://t.co/3dVJ0pCzxY

— Salma Zahid (@SalmaZahid15) December 5, 2023

“I assume that the government is doing something on a one-off basis and perhaps that’s why some people managed to get to safety. But that’s not good enough, it is not the right approach,” Kwan said at a press conference Monday.

An open letter signed by the entirety of the NDP caucus had Kwan urging the federal government to facilitate the successful evacuation and reunification of extended family members.

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“The situation in Gaza is getting so desperate that literally, as we speak, people’s lives are being lost,” she said.

Kwan said that in past extraordinary circumstances such as these, Canada has often extended special visas and family unification streams to those fleeing violence and seeking temporary refuge.
A spokesperson for the immigration department has said that the government continues to closely monitor the situation as it evolves and will continue to adapt its response accordingly.

This comes as Israel’s prime minister said the military would have to retain open-ended security control over the Gaza strip long after the war ends.

Since the ceasefire deal collapsed last Friday, Israel has been urging more Palestinians to clear out of southern Gaza and forces push deeper into the territory, leaving many feeling as if there is no safe place for them to go.