Some Lebanese-Canadians urge Lebanese families to take emergency measures to ease entry restrictions into Canada, citing more “soft” policies introduced for Ukrainians fleeing war with Russia putting pressure on the federal government.
Mariam Jamal, a Lebanese-Canadian immigration lawyer, compared Ukraine’s immigration strategy to the federal government’s response to the Lebanese conflict: “It was faster, more transparent, simpler and more flexible.” said. “We haven’t seen much movement on this yet, but this is a problem.”
Jamal said there are communication issues between Canadian federal agencies and local Lebanese and their families.
“They are trying to apply for visitor visas so that their immediate family, spouses and children can come with them, but they are being denied. Then they contact the embassy and they say they can help with the (flight) arrangements.” ), but I can’t help you get the status,” Jamal said in an interview with CTV News on Sunday.
Jamal said that given the airline’s approximately 3,200 seats compared to the estimated 40,000 to 75,000 Canadians living in Lebanon, Lebanese-Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members It added that temporary evacuation measures in place for people were too limited. Global Affairs Canada said approximately 1,100 Canadian residents, permanent residents and their families took advantage of evacuation options.
Jamal says the idea that Lebanese citizens and their families are choosing not to evacuate is not accurate.
“The reality, and what we are hearing on the ground, is that they do not know how to access these measures,” said Jamal, who is in contact with Lebanese seeking to flee. . “They’ve been told to wait for a call from Global Affairs, but they never get a call, so they have to find out what their options are. All the seats are taken. Some people have friends on planes even though they’re being told they’re there. They’re empty, so there’s clearly a basic communication problem there.”
“And simply saying we’re not going to do it anymore because no one is using it is going to confuse a lot of people.”
Double standards in immigration policy?
Jamal and others point to emergency policies that would give Ukrainians an expedited entry route to Canada in the event of a Russian invasion, as an example of a strategy that should be in place for Lebanese seeking to flee to Canada.
“To see that precedent being set and then the same thing not being extended to Lebanese people… people are frustrated,” Jamal said.
The federal government announced last week that a limited number of Lebanese nationals and their immediate family members who have already fled the war in Lebanon can extend their stay in Canada and apply for work or study permits. However, there is still no strategy to support Lebanese nationals and their families who remain in Lebanon.
Compare this with the strategy brought in to help Ukrainians escape the war. Canada has allowed an unlimited number of Ukrainians to stay in Canada for up to three years and apply for work and study permits. Approximately 300,000 Ukrainian citizens and permanent residents entered Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization (CUAET).
“At the time, officials actually told (the Liberal government) that this would set a precedent and that it would be difficult for Canadians to explain why this would not apply to other countries that may be in conflict zones. “We’ve pointed out to our loved ones and those who are at grave risk, and those officials are exactly right,” said Federal Democratic Party immigration critic Jenny Kwan.
NDP MP Jenny Kwan stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, November 1, 2024. (Spencer Colby/Canadian Press)
“What the community and the NDP want from the government is to treat all communities fairly and equitably,” Kwan added. “They say this is discriminatory and that they have high-level special immigration measures for Ukrainians, but the measures don’t apply to anyone else. It does not apply to Palestinians in Gaza or to Afghans who have served Canada. Both have limitations and are not as far-reaching as Ukraine’s measures.
“So people ask, ‘What’s the difference?’ The obvious answer for them is skin color.”
Petition from Lebanese Canadians to be submitted to the House of Commons
Liberal MP for Scarborough Center Salma Zahid is urging her party to take urgent steps to create an easier route to Canada for Lebanese families remaining in Lebanon.
“The Special Measures Program takes them for a temporary period, maybe two or three years, and allows them to escape from a combat zone, live here with their loved ones, and maybe get a work permit or a study permit. It’s about being able to get on with your life for the next 24 months and get back on track when things get better.”
Zahid said around 5,000 Lebanese voters had signed a petition expressing concern for their families in Lebanon and asking it to be presented to the House of Commons next week.
“It’s my duty as a member of parliament to convey all the concerns that they’re raising and to bring them to Ottawa. I’m going to insist that the government put some special measures in place for extended families. ”
“As the Minister has previously stated, it is inaccurate to compare different programs due to different geopolitical realities,” Mark Miller, spokesperson for the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizens, said in an email to CTV News. “Our priority must be to retain Canadians.” Canadians and permanent residents are safe and we continue to urge Canadians to avoid traveling to Lebanon. Canadians, permanent residents and their families are encouraged to leave the country by commercial means now if it is safe to do so. ”
