Urge Canada to Reopen and Improve their Emergency Immigration Measures for Gaza
Urge Canada to Reopen and Improve their Emergency Immigration Measures for Gaza
The Issue
The emergency situation in Gaza:
Since October 7 2023, civilians of Palestine–especially those located in the city of Gaza–have been indiscriminately targeted by the nation of Israel's relentless and violent retaliation.
The number of casualties in Gaza is estimated to be over 57,800 and the number of injuries connected to the military campaign is close to 138,000 and climbing. Military action against the people in Gaza is indiscriminate and often taken without warning, targeting designated "safe zones," evacuation zones, hospitals, schools and civilian camps. The UN Human Rights Office estimates that 70% of casualties in Gaza are women and children, the same study also bore the horrifying statistic that the most represented age range amongst the casualties were children aged 5-9.
The horrors and fear felt by the Palestinian people is only amplified by the fact that evacuation through the Egyptian border costs thousands of dollars per person–which is an especially large financial struggle amongst the constant bombardment and destruction of Israel's military action. Innocent civilians have become military targets in their home country and yet the circumstances of immigration are forcing families to stay in the active warzone despite the threat to their safety and lives.
Canada's Past Special Measures for Family in Gaza program:
In the December following October 7 and the resulting military action, the Canadian government issued special measures to give temporary visas to people in Gaza with extended family who were living permanently in or citizens of Canada.
This program, the way it was handled and its closure is a blatant display of discrimination and systemic social injustice that must not be seen as a reflection of Canadian morales, character or culture.
There are an estimated 40,000 Palestinian-Canadian citizens, a large number of whom are both eligible and desperate to evacuate their extended family members away from the war zone. However, this program’s limitation to only 5,000 applicants and 1,000 visas, meant that its outreach would only assist a select few.
This limit was unfair, did not reflect the high number of eligible evacuees, and blatantly went against public media statements from Canada claiming there was "no hard cap" on the number of available visas.
The inaccessibility of this program does not end here.
- In order to be eligible for the visas, applicants required a family member who was a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- This family member (called an “anchor”) was to take full financial responsibility of the accepted applicants after their arrival–this need for a financial sponsor was never present in similar programs for Ukraine or Afghanistan.
- The program was blatantly disorganized and neglected; applicants who had filled out forms just hours after the start of the program would go months without response.
- Even after getting a response, communication was unclear and contradictory, often disqualifying candidates on technicalities and separating many families.
- After the program's closure, there are around 3500 visa applications that have still not been screened and many family members have been left behind in the war zone of Gaza. This dangerously long wait is in stark contrast to the processing rate seen in other emergency programs.
- The program also had unusual requirements such as social media history and other personal information that is both inaccessible amidst the destruction of civil infrastructure and unjustified.
- These added requirements were seemingly exclusive to the program concerning Gaza and came with no guarantee of information privacy from the Canadian government.
The disorganization, neglect, and unfair requirements of this program have resulted in the separation of many family units and neglect of those accepted. With each passing day, the death toll in Gaza rises and evacuees accepted under the program–and all Gazans–face starvation, indiscriminate bombing and the fear of death.
This heartbreaking result was also influenced by financial difficulty in providing the "processing fee" of $100 per person as well as the cost of biometrics which cost another $85 per person in order to ensure success.
Biometrics, as well as other required data such as fingerprints and photos are extremely difficult to acquire in Gaza, and again, the cost to enter Egypt is in the thousands. Additionally, the webpage of this program itself promised to alleviate the requirement of biometrics–this was not upheld. In the evacuation of Ukrainian-Canadian citizens, visas were distributed free of charge and biometric fees were entirely forgiven.
One more especially cruel and insensitive roadblock preventing evacuation–even after all aspects of the program were fulfilled–was the interference of Israel and Egypt. Evacuees required permission from Israel and/or Egypt to leave Gaza, complicating the process and prolonging their time spent in the active war zone. Despite this, there are multiple instances of other countries applying diplomatic pressure to assist in evacuation; Canada did not expend the full capabilities of diplomatic action to safely evacuate the refugees that they took responsibility for.
Families have been torn apart, innocent civilians have been killed waiting for approval, applicants are still waiting for processing after the program's end.
Canada can and has done better
The chaotic failure of Canada's Special Measures Program for Gaza contrasts sharply with the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) initiative, made to assist ANY Ukrainian (regardless of Canadian affiliation) affected by the war to evacuate to Canada. This program allowed for an unlimited number of applicants to apply for an unlimited number of visas. The program had a screening timeline of 14 days, was well organized and resulted in the approval of 80% of applicants (more than 900,000 of 1.1 million). Of that nearly 300,000 have been welcomed into Canada. There were no unnecessary requirements and no requirement to have a financial sponsor. There were no fees for biometrics and no fees for the visas themselves in the beginning of the program.
Best of all, Ukrainian citizens were welcomed into Canada not only with compassion and kindness but with a government payment to refugees arriving with CUAET. In another exemplary display of kindness, support for education, housing and donations were also made available. This lies in contrast with the way Palestinian refugees have been treated in Canada. With the portrayal of Palestinians in mainstream media and the lack of support from the Canadian government, traumatized evacuees face micro aggressions, discriminatory suspicion from border security and unwelcoming, unsupportive treatment from Canadian society.
What we want:
- First and foremost: complete the processing and evacuation of all applications still awaiting processing from the original program as efficiently as possible.
- The Global Affairs Canada and the Minister of Foreign Affairs must immediately evacuate refugees who are still waiting for the Special Measures program to assist in their evacuation.
- Exert Canada’s diplomatic pressure on Egyptian and Israeli governmental powers to ensure the safe passage of all refugees
Reinstate the Canada Special Measures Emergency Visa program for Gaza and immediately reform the program in the following ways:
- No set limit to the number of applications taken or visas given
- Remove the financial responsibility placed on the anchor/Canadian connection
- Immediately provide governmental settlement services for refugees arriving in Canada; replicate the government payment given to Ukrainian refugees evacuated under CUAET, initiate support in employment, housing, donation opportunities, etc.
- Expand the reach of the program to the civilians in Gaza with no Canadian relatives, or create a new program to aid in their evacuation given the extreme and relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure.
- Reform and reorganize the handling of applications to provide clear communication, swifter response time, and replicate the 14-day screening turnaround of CUAET.
- Put more safeguards in place to prevent the separation of families due to technicalities or miscommunication. Ensure that a firm emphasis is placed on the preservation of family units.
- Firmly remove or postpone the need for biometric and other inaccessible information until the refugees have been evacuated.
- Waive other requirements that may be difficult to obtain (eg. passports; emergency documents or replacements must be made available).
- Ensure that the difficulty to obtain medical examination/documents is highlighted and accommodated for.
- Guarantee that disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries will not impede applicant’s eligibility to evacuation.
- Implement support for disabled applicants.
- Set clear guidelines and requirements on the webpage and make sure they are upheld.
- Alleviate/waive the processing fees and additional costs for applicants as seen in the CUAET program.
- Remove the excessive and unusual added security requirements of the program–especially the requirement to disclose and explain injuries and provide social media information.
- Ensure that bureaucratic pressure is being exerted upon the Israeli and Egyptian government to facilitate effective and quick evacuation of accepted applicants.
Increase support for evacuated Gazans in the following ways:
- Ensure a safe, compassionate, and welcoming reception for refugees arriving under the program.
- Provide educational resources for immigration authorities and Canadian citizens and properly introduce the program as a means of support for people in an emergency situation who have undergone extreme trauma and harm.
- Extend the IFHP coverage for refugees entering Canada under the program–especially for long term injuries and mental health resources due to the extreme violence in civilian areas of Gaza.
- Implement accessible pathways for permanent residency in Canada for refugees arriving under the program.
Urgent: Sign this petition to help reunite two families that have been separated by the past Special Measures program.
Email template–send an email to the government!
To:
Prime Minister Mark Carney (mark.carney@parl.gc.ca)
Lena Metlege Diab Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (ircc.minister-ministre.ircc@cic.gc.ca)
Deputy Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar (harpreet.kochhar@cic.gc.ca)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand (anita.anand@international.gc.ca)
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison (david.morrison@international.gc.ca)
Copy and Paste:
to: mark.carney@parl.gc.ca ircc.minister-ministre.ircc@cic.gc.ca anita.anand@international.gc.ca harpreet.kochhar@cic.gc.ca david.morrison@international.gc.ca
Subject: The urgent reformation and reopening of the Special Measures program to help citizens of Gaza evacuate to Canada
Dear Prime Minister Carney and Ministers Diab and Anand,
As you and many other Canadians know, the Israel-Palestine war is still ongoing, greatly affecting and jeopardizing the lives of innocent civilians located in Gaza. I and many other Canadians feel extreme empathy towards the struggle of these civilians; the severe famine and lack of medical care lies in sharp contrast with the safety and support provided in Canada.
Canada as a nation has a deep and successful history of forming well-organized and effective programs to assist civilians affected by war and conflict to evacuate to Canada. Such action has saved lives–especially in the cases of Ukraine (the CUAET program) and Afghanistan.
I, along with many Canadian citizens, were extremely disappointed with the handling of the previous Special Measures act to help evacuate Gazans with Canadian relatives.
The program was severely neglected and unequal, with a complex and time consuming application process, a limit of 1,000 visas given, unusual and expensive security requirements, and an estimated 3500 applications still waiting for processing. The convoluted approval process has resulted in the separation of multiple families, leaving many family members of those approved in the active and dangerous war zone.
The worst part about the program was that the difficulty, limitations, and requirements were entirely different from the excellent show of empathy of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. The program was amazingly efficient and forgiving with no set limit to the number of applicants or visas, a 14-day processing rate, waived fees and requirements, and around 80% of applicants accepted. Over 250,000 Ukrainian refugees are safely in Canada due to the remarkable reach and success of this program and the Canadian government.
We, as Canadians with safety and stability and you, as politicians with great resources and power, have a responsibility to extend our help to the innocents whose lives, family and wellbeing are at severe risk amidst the crossfire of war and danger of famine in Palestine. I am calling upon you, your morality, and the government of Canada to:
- Complete and expedite the processing and evacuation of all applications still awaiting processing from the original program as efficiently as possible.
- Exert Canada’s diplomatic pressure on Egyptian and Israeli governmental powers to ensure the safe passage of all refugees
Reopen the Canada Special Measures Emergency Visa program for Gaza and immediately reform the program in the following ways:
- No set limit to the number of applications taken or visas given
- Remove the financial responsibility placed on the anchor/Canadian connection
- Immediately provide governmental settlement services for refugees arriving in Canada; replicate the government payment given to Ukrainian refugees evacuated under CUAET, initiate support in employment, housing, donation opportunities, etc.
- Expand the reach of the program to the civilians in Gaza with no Canadian relatives, or create a new program to aid in their evacuation (also seen in CUAET).
- Reform and reorganize the handling of applications to provide clear communication, faster response time, and replicate the 14-day screening turnaround of CUAET and other evacuation programs.
- Put more safeguards in place to prevent the separation of families due to technicalities or miscommunication. Ensure that a firm emphasis is placed on the preservation of family units.
- Firmly remove or postpone the need for biometric and other inaccessible information until the refugees have been evacuated.
- Waive other requirements that may be difficult to obtain (eg. passports; emergency documents or replacements must be made available).
- Ensure that the difficulty to obtain medical examination/documents is highlighted and accommodated for.
- Guarantee that disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries will not impede applicant’s eligibility to evacuation. Implement support for disabled applicants.
- Set clear guidelines and requirements on the webpage and make sure they are upheld.
- Alleviate/waive the processing fees and additional costs for applicants as seen in the CUAET program.
- Remove the excessive and unusual added security requirements of the program–especially the requirement to disclose and explain injuries and provide social media information.
- Ensure that bureaucratic pressure and communication is being exerted upon the Israeli and Egyptian governmental organizations to facilitate effective and quick evacuation of accepted applicants.
If these changes are to be enacted the program is reopened, I urge you to increase support for evacuated Gazans in the following ways:
- Ensure a safe, compassionate, and welcoming reception for refugees arriving under the program.
- Provide educational resources for immigration authorities and Canadian citizens and properly introduce the program as a means of support for people in an emergency situation who have undergone extreme trauma and harm.
- Extend the IFHP coverage for refugees entering Canada under the program–especially for long term injuries and mental health resources due to the extreme violence that has affected the civilians of Gaza.
- Implement accessible pathways for permanent residency in Canada for refugees arriving under the program.
I once again reiterate, there is an emergency situation in Gaza in which civilian lives are at severe risk. Famine, illness, and injury follow these innocent people like a dark cloud and with our power, resources, and money, we have a duty to save these people and show the world how Canadian morals and culture transcend borders of nationality and race.
Thank you,
Name
Location
—
To learn more about the failure of the Special Measures program for Gaza, the following article and letters have more information:
Official Webpage of the Special Measures program:
85
The Issue
The emergency situation in Gaza:
Since October 7 2023, civilians of Palestine–especially those located in the city of Gaza–have been indiscriminately targeted by the nation of Israel's relentless and violent retaliation.
The number of casualties in Gaza is estimated to be over 57,800 and the number of injuries connected to the military campaign is close to 138,000 and climbing. Military action against the people in Gaza is indiscriminate and often taken without warning, targeting designated "safe zones," evacuation zones, hospitals, schools and civilian camps. The UN Human Rights Office estimates that 70% of casualties in Gaza are women and children, the same study also bore the horrifying statistic that the most represented age range amongst the casualties were children aged 5-9.
The horrors and fear felt by the Palestinian people is only amplified by the fact that evacuation through the Egyptian border costs thousands of dollars per person–which is an especially large financial struggle amongst the constant bombardment and destruction of Israel's military action. Innocent civilians have become military targets in their home country and yet the circumstances of immigration are forcing families to stay in the active warzone despite the threat to their safety and lives.
Canada's Past Special Measures for Family in Gaza program:
In the December following October 7 and the resulting military action, the Canadian government issued special measures to give temporary visas to people in Gaza with extended family who were living permanently in or citizens of Canada.
This program, the way it was handled and its closure is a blatant display of discrimination and systemic social injustice that must not be seen as a reflection of Canadian morales, character or culture.
There are an estimated 40,000 Palestinian-Canadian citizens, a large number of whom are both eligible and desperate to evacuate their extended family members away from the war zone. However, this program’s limitation to only 5,000 applicants and 1,000 visas, meant that its outreach would only assist a select few.
This limit was unfair, did not reflect the high number of eligible evacuees, and blatantly went against public media statements from Canada claiming there was "no hard cap" on the number of available visas.
The inaccessibility of this program does not end here.
- In order to be eligible for the visas, applicants required a family member who was a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- This family member (called an “anchor”) was to take full financial responsibility of the accepted applicants after their arrival–this need for a financial sponsor was never present in similar programs for Ukraine or Afghanistan.
- The program was blatantly disorganized and neglected; applicants who had filled out forms just hours after the start of the program would go months without response.
- Even after getting a response, communication was unclear and contradictory, often disqualifying candidates on technicalities and separating many families.
- After the program's closure, there are around 3500 visa applications that have still not been screened and many family members have been left behind in the war zone of Gaza. This dangerously long wait is in stark contrast to the processing rate seen in other emergency programs.
- The program also had unusual requirements such as social media history and other personal information that is both inaccessible amidst the destruction of civil infrastructure and unjustified.
- These added requirements were seemingly exclusive to the program concerning Gaza and came with no guarantee of information privacy from the Canadian government.
The disorganization, neglect, and unfair requirements of this program have resulted in the separation of many family units and neglect of those accepted. With each passing day, the death toll in Gaza rises and evacuees accepted under the program–and all Gazans–face starvation, indiscriminate bombing and the fear of death.
This heartbreaking result was also influenced by financial difficulty in providing the "processing fee" of $100 per person as well as the cost of biometrics which cost another $85 per person in order to ensure success.
Biometrics, as well as other required data such as fingerprints and photos are extremely difficult to acquire in Gaza, and again, the cost to enter Egypt is in the thousands. Additionally, the webpage of this program itself promised to alleviate the requirement of biometrics–this was not upheld. In the evacuation of Ukrainian-Canadian citizens, visas were distributed free of charge and biometric fees were entirely forgiven.
One more especially cruel and insensitive roadblock preventing evacuation–even after all aspects of the program were fulfilled–was the interference of Israel and Egypt. Evacuees required permission from Israel and/or Egypt to leave Gaza, complicating the process and prolonging their time spent in the active war zone. Despite this, there are multiple instances of other countries applying diplomatic pressure to assist in evacuation; Canada did not expend the full capabilities of diplomatic action to safely evacuate the refugees that they took responsibility for.
Families have been torn apart, innocent civilians have been killed waiting for approval, applicants are still waiting for processing after the program's end.
Canada can and has done better
The chaotic failure of Canada's Special Measures Program for Gaza contrasts sharply with the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) initiative, made to assist ANY Ukrainian (regardless of Canadian affiliation) affected by the war to evacuate to Canada. This program allowed for an unlimited number of applicants to apply for an unlimited number of visas. The program had a screening timeline of 14 days, was well organized and resulted in the approval of 80% of applicants (more than 900,000 of 1.1 million). Of that nearly 300,000 have been welcomed into Canada. There were no unnecessary requirements and no requirement to have a financial sponsor. There were no fees for biometrics and no fees for the visas themselves in the beginning of the program.
Best of all, Ukrainian citizens were welcomed into Canada not only with compassion and kindness but with a government payment to refugees arriving with CUAET. In another exemplary display of kindness, support for education, housing and donations were also made available. This lies in contrast with the way Palestinian refugees have been treated in Canada. With the portrayal of Palestinians in mainstream media and the lack of support from the Canadian government, traumatized evacuees face micro aggressions, discriminatory suspicion from border security and unwelcoming, unsupportive treatment from Canadian society.
What we want:
- First and foremost: complete the processing and evacuation of all applications still awaiting processing from the original program as efficiently as possible.
- The Global Affairs Canada and the Minister of Foreign Affairs must immediately evacuate refugees who are still waiting for the Special Measures program to assist in their evacuation.
- Exert Canada’s diplomatic pressure on Egyptian and Israeli governmental powers to ensure the safe passage of all refugees
Reinstate the Canada Special Measures Emergency Visa program for Gaza and immediately reform the program in the following ways:
- No set limit to the number of applications taken or visas given
- Remove the financial responsibility placed on the anchor/Canadian connection
- Immediately provide governmental settlement services for refugees arriving in Canada; replicate the government payment given to Ukrainian refugees evacuated under CUAET, initiate support in employment, housing, donation opportunities, etc.
- Expand the reach of the program to the civilians in Gaza with no Canadian relatives, or create a new program to aid in their evacuation given the extreme and relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure.
- Reform and reorganize the handling of applications to provide clear communication, swifter response time, and replicate the 14-day screening turnaround of CUAET.
- Put more safeguards in place to prevent the separation of families due to technicalities or miscommunication. Ensure that a firm emphasis is placed on the preservation of family units.
- Firmly remove or postpone the need for biometric and other inaccessible information until the refugees have been evacuated.
- Waive other requirements that may be difficult to obtain (eg. passports; emergency documents or replacements must be made available).
- Ensure that the difficulty to obtain medical examination/documents is highlighted and accommodated for.
- Guarantee that disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries will not impede applicant’s eligibility to evacuation.
- Implement support for disabled applicants.
- Set clear guidelines and requirements on the webpage and make sure they are upheld.
- Alleviate/waive the processing fees and additional costs for applicants as seen in the CUAET program.
- Remove the excessive and unusual added security requirements of the program–especially the requirement to disclose and explain injuries and provide social media information.
- Ensure that bureaucratic pressure is being exerted upon the Israeli and Egyptian government to facilitate effective and quick evacuation of accepted applicants.
Increase support for evacuated Gazans in the following ways:
- Ensure a safe, compassionate, and welcoming reception for refugees arriving under the program.
- Provide educational resources for immigration authorities and Canadian citizens and properly introduce the program as a means of support for people in an emergency situation who have undergone extreme trauma and harm.
- Extend the IFHP coverage for refugees entering Canada under the program–especially for long term injuries and mental health resources due to the extreme violence in civilian areas of Gaza.
- Implement accessible pathways for permanent residency in Canada for refugees arriving under the program.
Urgent: Sign this petition to help reunite two families that have been separated by the past Special Measures program.
Email template–send an email to the government!
To:
Prime Minister Mark Carney (mark.carney@parl.gc.ca)
Lena Metlege Diab Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (ircc.minister-ministre.ircc@cic.gc.ca)
Deputy Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar (harpreet.kochhar@cic.gc.ca)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand (anita.anand@international.gc.ca)
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison (david.morrison@international.gc.ca)
Copy and Paste:
to: mark.carney@parl.gc.ca ircc.minister-ministre.ircc@cic.gc.ca anita.anand@international.gc.ca harpreet.kochhar@cic.gc.ca david.morrison@international.gc.ca
Subject: The urgent reformation and reopening of the Special Measures program to help citizens of Gaza evacuate to Canada
Dear Prime Minister Carney and Ministers Diab and Anand,
As you and many other Canadians know, the Israel-Palestine war is still ongoing, greatly affecting and jeopardizing the lives of innocent civilians located in Gaza. I and many other Canadians feel extreme empathy towards the struggle of these civilians; the severe famine and lack of medical care lies in sharp contrast with the safety and support provided in Canada.
Canada as a nation has a deep and successful history of forming well-organized and effective programs to assist civilians affected by war and conflict to evacuate to Canada. Such action has saved lives–especially in the cases of Ukraine (the CUAET program) and Afghanistan.
I, along with many Canadian citizens, were extremely disappointed with the handling of the previous Special Measures act to help evacuate Gazans with Canadian relatives.
The program was severely neglected and unequal, with a complex and time consuming application process, a limit of 1,000 visas given, unusual and expensive security requirements, and an estimated 3500 applications still waiting for processing. The convoluted approval process has resulted in the separation of multiple families, leaving many family members of those approved in the active and dangerous war zone.
The worst part about the program was that the difficulty, limitations, and requirements were entirely different from the excellent show of empathy of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. The program was amazingly efficient and forgiving with no set limit to the number of applicants or visas, a 14-day processing rate, waived fees and requirements, and around 80% of applicants accepted. Over 250,000 Ukrainian refugees are safely in Canada due to the remarkable reach and success of this program and the Canadian government.
We, as Canadians with safety and stability and you, as politicians with great resources and power, have a responsibility to extend our help to the innocents whose lives, family and wellbeing are at severe risk amidst the crossfire of war and danger of famine in Palestine. I am calling upon you, your morality, and the government of Canada to:
- Complete and expedite the processing and evacuation of all applications still awaiting processing from the original program as efficiently as possible.
- Exert Canada’s diplomatic pressure on Egyptian and Israeli governmental powers to ensure the safe passage of all refugees
Reopen the Canada Special Measures Emergency Visa program for Gaza and immediately reform the program in the following ways:
- No set limit to the number of applications taken or visas given
- Remove the financial responsibility placed on the anchor/Canadian connection
- Immediately provide governmental settlement services for refugees arriving in Canada; replicate the government payment given to Ukrainian refugees evacuated under CUAET, initiate support in employment, housing, donation opportunities, etc.
- Expand the reach of the program to the civilians in Gaza with no Canadian relatives, or create a new program to aid in their evacuation (also seen in CUAET).
- Reform and reorganize the handling of applications to provide clear communication, faster response time, and replicate the 14-day screening turnaround of CUAET and other evacuation programs.
- Put more safeguards in place to prevent the separation of families due to technicalities or miscommunication. Ensure that a firm emphasis is placed on the preservation of family units.
- Firmly remove or postpone the need for biometric and other inaccessible information until the refugees have been evacuated.
- Waive other requirements that may be difficult to obtain (eg. passports; emergency documents or replacements must be made available).
- Ensure that the difficulty to obtain medical examination/documents is highlighted and accommodated for.
- Guarantee that disabilities, chronic illnesses, or injuries will not impede applicant’s eligibility to evacuation. Implement support for disabled applicants.
- Set clear guidelines and requirements on the webpage and make sure they are upheld.
- Alleviate/waive the processing fees and additional costs for applicants as seen in the CUAET program.
- Remove the excessive and unusual added security requirements of the program–especially the requirement to disclose and explain injuries and provide social media information.
- Ensure that bureaucratic pressure and communication is being exerted upon the Israeli and Egyptian governmental organizations to facilitate effective and quick evacuation of accepted applicants.
If these changes are to be enacted the program is reopened, I urge you to increase support for evacuated Gazans in the following ways:
- Ensure a safe, compassionate, and welcoming reception for refugees arriving under the program.
- Provide educational resources for immigration authorities and Canadian citizens and properly introduce the program as a means of support for people in an emergency situation who have undergone extreme trauma and harm.
- Extend the IFHP coverage for refugees entering Canada under the program–especially for long term injuries and mental health resources due to the extreme violence that has affected the civilians of Gaza.
- Implement accessible pathways for permanent residency in Canada for refugees arriving under the program.
I once again reiterate, there is an emergency situation in Gaza in which civilian lives are at severe risk. Famine, illness, and injury follow these innocent people like a dark cloud and with our power, resources, and money, we have a duty to save these people and show the world how Canadian morals and culture transcend borders of nationality and race.
Thank you,
Name
Location
—
To learn more about the failure of the Special Measures program for Gaza, the following article and letters have more information:
Official Webpage of the Special Measures program:
85
The Decision Makers
Petition created on July 14, 2025