QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Special Immigration Measures
December 13, 2023
Senator Gold, I wish to align myself — colleagues, I have the floor. I have the floor, I believe, not Senator Lankin.
No, but she was speaking.
Colleagues, please. I know we’re all tired, but right now we’re in Question Period, and it’s Senator Omidvar’s turn to ask a question.
Senator Gold, I first wish to align myself completely with the statements and sentiments expressed by Senator McPhedran last Monday on the situation in Israel and Palestine. I would draw our attention to the 1.8 million Palestinians who have been displaced from their homes, including people with disabilities, women and children. Many of them are, in fact, family members of Canadian citizens.
The Government of Australia has implemented a specific immigration measure, including a special visa program, to expedite the visa assessment process for vulnerable individuals wishing to leave Gaza.
Will the Government of Canada create special immigration measures to help vulnerable Gazans, such as women and children?
Thank you for your question. The situation is deeply concerning in Israel and Gaza and, indeed, in the West Bank. The government’s top priority, I’m advised, is to ensure the safety of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families.
In responding to an international crisis such as the one the region is living through, Canada attempts to tailor each response to address the unique situation and circumstances and the needs of those on the ground. While I understand that applications from people in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank who are already in Canada continue to be processed, I have been assured that the government continues to monitor the situation, and any new developments will be shared when appropriate.
Thank you, Senator Gold. The first victims on October 7 were Israeli men, women and children. There were kidnappings, indiscriminate killings and horrific acts of sexual violence. Over 100 people are still being held hostage. What Hamas did was disgusting and deplorable.
I wish to ask you what our government is doing in partnership with international allies to, first, free the hostages and, second, hold the perpetrators to account.
Canada is working with democratic allies, including the United States, where it really matters, to continue to put pressure on Hamas to unequivocally condemn them and to hope that all hostages are released safely and quickly.
