Why is it taking so long for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to secure visas for their families in Gaza?

On March 22, 2024, Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, why is it taking so long for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to secure visas for their families in Gaza. Watch:

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Senator Gold, my question is about Gaza. It has been over two months since the government initiated a new temporary visa for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to secure visas for their families in Gaza.

As of Monday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, has informed us that only 14 individuals have successfully completed the application and have been subsequently approved for entry into Canada — just 14. This is at a time when Gaza is facing imminent famine. Can you please outline why the uptake in the approval has been so minimal?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator.

While movement out of Gaza remains very unpredictable, Canada continues to work with its partners on the ground to facilitate the safe exit of Canadians, permanent residents and, of course, their family members. The challenge remains, colleagues, as we all know, that Canada simply does not determine who, when or how many individuals can cross the Gaza Strip and cross Rafah. This is a challenge. The government will continue to work at every level and make every effort to ensure that extended family members and others who qualify are able to leave Gaza.

Senator Omidvar: Thank you, Senator Gold, for that answer, but those individuals who do leave Gaza and find their way to some safety in Egypt are then informed by IRCC officials that the application form must be completed in Gaza. So here they are, they have fled to some safety, and they are being told, no, go back to Gaza to complete your application to meet the criteria. Do you understand this? I don’t.

Senator Gold: This is a challenge. Thank you for raising it. This is my understanding: IRCC is unable to collect biometrics at the application state, so they have implemented a multi-stage process to collect enhanced biographical information while applicants are still in Gaza. This was what they did, as you’ll recall, with regard to Afghanistan. This then allows IRCC to initiate the security screening process, and it’s followed by biometric collection and screening in Egypt. In that regard, IRCC is doing what it can to eliminate this obstacle.