NDP Media Release - The Liberal government can’t abandon Ukrainians

Today, the NDP critic and deputy critic for immigration, refugees and citizenship, Jenny Kwan and Blake Desjarlais, made the following statement:

“Since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, 1.5 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes. Many came to Canada after the initial invasion eight years ago and have successfully resettled in communities across the country.

Yesterday, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the situation for people on the ground has become unfathomably more dire. With the growing humanitarian crisis in their home country, Ukrainians will be seeking safety and refuge in Canada.

Since 2018, NDP MPs have been calling for visa-free access for Ukrainians and, just last year, our colleague Daniel Blaikie sent a letter to the government calling for urgent action.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is calling for neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to those seeking safety and protection from this act of aggression. Canada is recognized for its historical leadership in humanitarian actions in the global community and we must also play our part now. We are calling for the Liberal government to enact new special refugee immigration measures and work collaborative with the UNHCR to support and resettle those who have been displaced by this escalating humanitarian crisis.

New Democrats are also calling on the government to automatically extend expiring documents and visitor, work and study permits for all Ukrainians currently in Canada. Those who are already here in Canada should not be compelled to return due to the severe risks and danger in Ukraine.

While prioritizing permanent residency applications and travel documents for Ukraine is a necessary measure, the Liberals must not repeat the mistakes they have made with the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis. They must ensure this work is done properly with new staffing resources and immigration levels so that the existing significant backlog for all streams within IRCC is not further impacted.

In light of the escalating crisis, it must be recognized that Ukrainians fleeing the dangers of their homeland do not have months to spare. The most urgent action is required.”

Latest posts

Toronto Star NEWS: Canada launches ad campaign warning newcomers claiming asylum is ‘not easy’

When reached for comment, NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said the new measures are an abrupt shift from past policy.

“This about face from Prime Minister Trudeau is a shameless and insidious attempt to use newcomers such as migrants, international students, and asylum seekers as political cover,” Kwan said in a statement emailed to the Star.

It’s a dangerous game on Trudeau’s part, said Kwan, in trying to “shift the blame for his failures” to asylum seekers — one she called “a recipe to further hype-up hate, resentment and discrimination toward racialized people.

“Instead of wasting $250,000 on advertising, they should be investing those resources in processing applications,” said Kwan.

immigration.ca NEWS: Marc Miller to propose reforms to Canada’s Immigration and Asylum System

Political opposition has also been vocal. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan accused the government of scapegoating migrants for systemic issues, such as the housing crisis. Kwan called for a reversal of recent immigration changes, questioning their fairness to temporary residents and international students.

In response, Miller maintained that becoming a Canadian citizen is not a right.

Global NEWS: Sen. Woo downplays evidence that China ‘targeted’ MPs Chong, Kwan

In a statement, Kwan’s lawyer, Sujit Choudhry, said Woo’s allegation that the MP’s testimony was “flimsy” is “false and misleading.”

“It was CSIS who informed MP Kwan in a classified briefing that she was a long-time target of (Chinese Communist Party) interference and will remain an ‘evergreen target.’ MP Kwan testified and brought to the commissioner’s attention that she believed she had been de-platformed by Chinese community organizations,” Choudhry wrote in a statement to Global News.

Choudhry noted that CSIS officials testified that Beijing works through proxy agents in Canada’s Chinese diaspora and that Kwan is concerned the Chinese government used those proxies to target her for her advocacy on human rights issues in China.

“Senator Woo has every right to turn a blind eye to foreign interference actors and activities. MP Kwan chooses to use her voice to speak up and speak out to protect and defend Canada’s democratic institutions and processes.”