For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Extending special immigration measures to regions faced with humanitarian crises
Canada is recognized for its historical leadership in humanitarian actions in the global community and we must also play our part now. Canadians stand in support of Ukrainians in the face of the devastating and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the Standing Committee for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship’s (CIMM) study of differential outcomes in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada decisions, while many of the witnesses noted their support for the special immigration measures to Ukraine nationals and want to see the government do everything it can to help those in need get to safety expeditiously; however, they also pointed out that they see a distinct difference in how people in different regions faced with an urgent humanitarian crisis are being treated. They are calling on the government to provide the same treatment and special immigration measures to the people of Ukraine to those regions.
As such, on April 5, 2022, the Standing Committee on Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees passed the following motion:
That the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration issue a press release calling on the Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship to: a) extend the special immigration measures afforded to Ukrainian nationals to other regions faced with a humanitarian crisis such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Rohingya and Hong Kong, including the expansion of biometrics collection capabilities in neighbouring countries and the issuance Temporary Resident Permits and single journey travel documents to those without a passport; b) allow displaced persons in third countries, such as Afghans and other refugees in Ukrainian refugee camps, to seek refuge in Canada; c) waive the UNHCR refugee determination; and d) make available these measures to Afghans in Afghanistan.
Given that time is of the essence, and many people are in need of assistance, such as Afghans fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Committee calls on the Minister of Immigration to immediately act on the measures noted in the motion to ensure that Canada’s response to ongoing humanitarian crises in different regions are treated with the same vigor as Ukraine.
