Will Gaza Strip evacuees be granted immigration status in Canada? It depends, minister says
CTV
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says the immigration status and supports available for evacuees who escape from Gaza Strip will have to be determined based on individual circumstances once people make their way to Canada.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says the immigration status and supports available for evacuees who escape from Gaza Strip will have to be determined based on individual circumstances once people make their way to Canada.
The federal government has been working to secure the safe passage of more than 400 people with connections to Canada as part of ongoing negotiations between Israel and Egypt that are being mediated by Qatar.
The slow trickle of people allowed through the highly controlled Rafah border crossing has so far included 75 people on Canada's list of anticipated evacuees, and they are only allowed to remain in Egypt for 72 hours.
The list includes Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as eligible family members who don't have immigration status in Canada.
Global Affairs Canada says it is also aware of reports that four Canadian citizens got out with the help of a third party.
Miller says family members without Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status will be offered temporary status so they can remain in Canada, and if they need work permits, his department will work on that as well.
"I think it's something we'll tackle as the case may be," he said in an interview on Monday.
