Feds using ‘new strategy’ to help those impacted by Turkey, Syria earthquakes

Canada has announced new measures to assist those impacted by a pair of earthquakes that hit Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6, leaving more than 50,000 dead and millions displaced.

Canada has announced new measures to aid those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

On Saturday, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced at a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., that Turkish and Syrian temporary residents in Canada can apply to extend their status with no charge, effective March 29. They can also apply for open work permits that will allow them to stay in Canada for up to three years.

Canada will also waive the need to have a passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa, given some of those affected may have lost the documents. Fraser also said that the fees for temporary passports and emergency travel documents will be waived for those returning to Canada, as well as for Canadian citizenship certificates and permanent resident travel documents.

“Today we are introducing new measures that make it easier for Turkish and Syrian nationals to extend their stay in Canada and be with their families, while continuing to work and study in a safe environment,” Fraser said in a statement.

Canada has been processing permanent and temporary residence applications from those affected by the earthquakes on a priority basis. As of Feb. 8, close to 16,000 applications from Syria and Turkey were in progress, with 1,700 of those (750 permanent, 920 temporary residents) involving people from the impacted areas, according to the government.

“For those who apply for a temporary residency visa, we will be able to treat their applications with priority processing,” Fraser said at the press conference.

“(There are) special measures that we’re implementing, internal to our system, to provide guidance to our officers to facilitate the approval of their cases so they can come to Canada.”