HANSARD: Questioning Immigration Minister on Gaza scholarship student VISA applications

Debates of May 28th, 2026
House of Commons Hansard #124 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session

Department of Citizenship and Immigration—Main Estimates, 2026-27
Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

10:25 p.m.

Jenny Kwan Vancouver East, BC
NDP

Mr. Chair, 130 highly qualified Palestinian postgrad students have waited for two years for their study visa with no decision or timeline. Many face requirements that are impossible to meet under the war conditions, including biometrics and extended security screening.

France, Ireland, Belgium and Germany successfully evacuated students who received university scholarships without pre-departure biometrics. They granted emergency entry travel documents and deferred standard biometric collection. Will the minister do the same?

Lena Metlege Diab Halifax West, NS

Mr. Chair, first let me say that when the member speaks of Gaza and the Middle East, my heart goes out to everyone there. Obviously, I know it is very difficult.

When the member speaks of students, they all go through the same application as any international student. I can tell the member that we have directed officials to accelerate the student visa processing for people in Gaza, and I can confirm—

The Assistant Deputy Chair John Nater

The hon. member.

Jenny Kwan Vancouver East, BC
NDP

Mr. Chair, with the special immigration measure for Gazans to date, how many names has the government submitted to the governments of Israel and Egypt to request official exit clearance?

Lena Metlege Diab Halifax West, NS

Mr. Chair, I do not believe I can reply to that. I do not think I have what the member is asking for.

I can tell the member that, as of February 28, approximately 1,360 Palestinians have been approved to come to Canada and approximately 985 people have arrived through the special measures.

Jenny Kwan Vancouver East, BC
NDP

Mr. Chair, that was not my question. I am asking how many names have been submitted to the Israeli and Egyptian authorities. Maybe her officials can help her.

Lena Metlege Diab Halifax West, NS

Mr. Chair, in 2024, prior to me becoming a minister, the government introduced special measures to facilitate temporary residence for up to 5,000 extended family members in Gaza of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Jenny Kwan Vancouver East, BC
NDP

Mr. Chair, I would ask the minister not to waste my time, I only have seven and a half minutes. I would like her to answer the question.

What was the last date the government submitted names, and how many have been processed since the ceasefire?

Lena Metlege Diab Halifax West, NS

Mr. Chair, the Government of Canada made a commitment for certain numbers, and we are fulfilling that commitment to the best of our abilities.

Jenny Kwan Vancouver East, BC
NDP

Mr. Chair, will the minister offer biometric solutions and alternatives for this program?

Lena Metlege Diab Halifax West, NS

Mr. Chair, as I said, the government made a commitment, and the commitment is being fulfilled. I have cited the numbers of who has already arrived and of the applications that have been processed.