IRCC launches assistance program for Gazans arriving in Canada. After arriving in Canada, Palestinians escaping Gaza will get transitional financial help from IRCC. The goal of this assistance is to facilitate newcomers’ easy transition and integration into Canadian society.

In order to help Gazans satisfy basic necessities like clothing, food, and shelter when they arrive in Canada and look for work, the government has provided financial support. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide more details about this program as they become available.

Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, stated that “offering settlement and financial support is essential to addressing the immediate challenges faced by Gazans seeking safety in Canada.” Apart from monetary aid, individuals escaping hostilities in the area will obtain:

  • Temporary Interim Federal Health Program coverage for three months to handle immediate medical needs upon arrival.
  • Settlement services include language instruction, information, and acclimatization to Canadian culture, including help creating a bank account and helping children enroll in school, as well as support with job searching.

Canada Supports Gazans with Temporary Resident Pathway and Humanitarian Aid

Through the IRCC’s temporary resident pathway for extended Palestinian family members in Gaza, 4,245 applications have been filed and are currently being processed; 733 of these persons have been granted entry into Canada. These candidates have finished their biometrics and had applications for Temporary Resident Visas pending.

The IRCC stated that because of “factors outside of Canada’s control,” exiting Gaza is “extremely challenging.” The department is working with local law enforcement to support Canadian residents’ extended families. 334 individuals have entered Canada as a result of the temporary public policy as of October 5.

Furthermore, Canada has promised to provide $140 million in humanitarian relief to help the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Israel, and the surrounding areas in need. The money will go toward necessities like food, water, and emergency medical care.

Expanded initiatives based on humanitarian principles

In order to support Israeli and Palestinian residents impacted by the current Middle East conflict, IRCC has put in place a number of initiatives. In January, the government introduced a new policy to ease the transition of Palestinians currently in the Gaza Strip who are connected to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to life in Canada.

*In this context, “related” includes:

  • Parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Children or grandchildren
  • Sibling
  • Spouse or common-law partner

Those who are successful in this track can become temporary residents of Canada for a maximum of three years, during which time they can work (under an open work visa) and/or further their studies. Family members of these candidates may also apply for employment permits. They can also apply for study permits to join their relatives in Canada.

In addition to this strategy, the IRCC has sped up the processing of family-class applications for permanent residency (PR) for people whose Palestinian family members are impacted by the region’s ongoing conflict.