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441-00100 (Foreign affairs)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

WHEREAS:

  • Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban on August 15, 2021;
  • The Government of Canada was completely unprepared to evacuate its own citizens, as well as the thousands of Afghan allies and their families who supported our nations' military and humanitarian efforts, leaving them incountry and at-risk of Taliban retribution;
  • The Veterans Transition Network (VTN), non-profit organizations, and private supporters have stepped-in where the federal government has failed and are aiding Canada's Afghan allies and their families by funding safehouses and evacuation efforts; and
  • Additional federal support is desperately needed as the resources of the VTN and other groups are rapidly running out, while thousands of our allies still remain in Afghanistan and at-risk.

THEREFORE:

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to partner with the Veterans Transition Network and others to launch an immediate evacuation effort of our remaining Afghan allies, relocate them to Canada, and safeguard them from Taliban retribution.

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting regional efforts and providing assistance to Afghan refugees and host communities. On July 23, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a special immigration program focused on Afghans who provided critical support to Canada’s mission to Afghanistan. On August 13, IRCC announced a humanitarian program to resettle Afghan refugees with a focus on women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious and ethnic minorities, journalists and people who helped Canadian journalists, LGBTI individuals, and extended family members of previously resettled interpreters. Canada has committed to resettling up to 40,000 vulnerable Afghan refugees under these programs.

More than 7,000 Afghan refugees, and climbing, have arrived in Canada since the announcement of the special immigration program and more will continue to arrive in the weeks and months ahead. The Government of Canada recognizes that there are still many Afghans who have not been able to travel to Canada under the special immigration program, including some who may have had a relationship with the Government of Canada. IRCC continues to process accepted applications as quickly as possible, but it will take time for people to arrive in Canada.

Canada has provided funding to Journalists for Human Rights, Veterans Transition Network and Aman Lara to support their efforts to protect vulnerable persons in Afghanistan, including human rights defenders, women peacebuilders, former Canadian Armed Forces interpreters and locally engaged staff. The Government of Canada continues to work closely with these organizations regarding the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

Additionally, the Government Canada has allocated $27.3 million in humanitarian assistance early into 2021, with an additional $50 million for Afghanistan and the region announced on August 26, 2021, and most recently, an additional $56 million announced on December 21, 2021, to support the World Food Programme, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations Children’s Fund over the next 15 months, both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. This support will help with immediate lifesaving needs of vulnerable Afghans.

Canada continues to have discussions with allies and countries in the region to explore avenues to assist those who remain on the ground, as well as those who have already travelled to third countries and wish to come to Canada. Canada is deploying its full diplomatic weight through a variety of channels including through the G7, Five Country forums and the United Nations. The Government of Canada is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and remains committed to responding to the needs of the people of Afghanistan.

Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Sean Fraser

To date, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved applications for more than 9,800 persons under our Special Immigration Measures to resettle Afghan nationals who assisted the Government of Canada along with their family members. We continue to move Afghan refugees as quickly as conditions allow.

There are significant barriers to facilitating the exit of Afghan nationals from Afghanistan. There is no Canadian presence on the ground in Afghanistan. Crossing Afghanistan’s border is also dangerous. We are engaging closely with countries in the region and we have added more staff and resources in our missions abroad to ensure that individuals who have qualified for our Special Immigration Measures are processed to completion quickly if they exit Afghanistan.  

IRCC recognizes that many at-risk Afghans remain in Afghanistan and are unable to leave. Our officials are working tirelessly to secure new partnerships and address constraints that limit the mobility of vulnerable groups. We have established new partnerships to find avenues for the resettlement of individuals from within Afghanistan. IRCC is working with Front Line Defenders and Protect Defenders, who have been able to facilitate the movement of some human rights defenders to neighbouring countries. IRCC is also in contact with the Veteran’s Transition Network (VTN) regarding their operations on the ground in Afghanistan.

As of January 18, 2022, a total of 7140 Afghan nationals arrived in Canada: 4292 under the Special Immigration Measures, and 2850 under the humanitarian program.

All key statistics, updated regularly, may be found on IRCC’s website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/key-figures.html

 

Presented to the House of Commons
Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon)
December 16, 2021 (Petition No. 441-00100)
Government response tabled
January 31, 2022
Photo - Brad Vis
Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.