Emergency permits for wounded children

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to issue Emergency TRPs for wounded Palestinian children, guardians and siblings, relax Gaza biometrics to CUAET standards, and expedite processing with NGOs and hospitals. The government responds that IRCC has prioritized measures.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada The United States stopped all visas for Palestinians, including children who need urgent care; Canada has recognized Palestine as a State and has a moral obligation to uphold international law and lead in humanitarian action; and The UN just declared over 21,000 children have been disabled since October 7th, 2023. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Create a special program to issue Emergency Temporary Resident Permits for wounded children, their guardians and siblings; 2. Change biometrics requirements – which are impossible to fulfill in Gaza, as infrastructure has been destroyed – to the standard which was permitted to Ukraine nationals at the introduction of the CUAET; 3. Expedite processing and coordinate with NGOs, such as HEAL Palestine, and Canadian hospitals to provide care. 1. Create a special program to issue Emergency Temporary Resident Permits for wounded children, their guardians and siblings; 2. Change biometrics requirements – which are impossible to fulfill in Gaza, as infrastructure has been destroyed – to the standard which was permitted to Ukraine nationals at the introduction of the CUAET; 3. Expedite processing and coordinate with NGOs, such as HEAL Palestine, and Canadian hospitals to provide care.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Signed by PETER FRAGISKATOS, M.P. Canada remains deeply concerned with the situation in Gaza. In response to the crisis in Gaza, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced special measures to facilitate temporary residence for up to 5,000 extended family members in Gaza of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Applications submitted under these special measures are being prioritized, consistent with Canada’s commitment to family reunification and to providing a temporary safe haven for Palestinians directly affected by the conflict who have family support in Canada. These efforts build on Canada’s broader humanitarian response. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is committed to a fair and non-discriminatory application of immigration procedures. All persons seeking to come to Canada must meet Canada’s admissibility and eligibility requirements as set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, including biometric requirements. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada relies on Visa Application Centres (VACs), which are designated locations where applicants provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does not operate a VAC in every country or region and has never maintained an in-country presence in Gaza. Applicants can only finalize their applications once they have left Gaza, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has no presence there. Canada does not determine who can leave Gaza. Medical evacuations requires approval by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and are subsequently prioritized in coordination with the World Health Organization based on the severity of the medical condition and the urgency of treatment. While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does not have a mandate to conduct or request medical evacuations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has supported the arrival to Canada of some Palestinian children requiring specialized medical treatment, as well as their accompanying family members through existing immigration pathways. These children and their family members were living outside of Gaza and were able to complete all application processing requirements and are now receiving medical care in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada continues to monitor the situation in the region closely. Each crisis is unique. While our response may be different, we seek to apply the same criteria when recommending the best course of action.