B.C. advocates say limited funding, extra red tape for Gazans coming to Canada

B.C. advocates are raising concerns with the federal rollout of financial assistance for Gazans arriving in Canada through a temporary resident visa stream. 

The government of Canada is providing a direct, one-time payment of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child.

Some advocates say they think there’s a discrepancy between how Palestinians are being treated versus newcomers from other places.

Silva Abkarian is a settlement counsellor at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society. She says Ottawa has provided strong financial assistance in the past for others fleeing war.

“When the Syrians arrived, they had so much money put aside for the newcomers’ first three months… In my opinion, it’s not enough at all. But we welcome any kind of help for the refugees,” said Abkarian.

She says Palestine doesn’t register as a people in need in the same way as countries in which Canada has an economic interest.

She’s hopeful that the landed Gazans could get help from the B.C. government after one year.

Omar Omar with the Gazan-Canadian League points out the Canadian government also gave unlimited visas to Ukrainians fleeing war in recent years, created a dedicated track to permanent residency status, and offered strong financial support.

He says the temporary resident visa for Gazans is rolling out in a much different way.

“It’s completely different for us. We had to sign a statutory declaration to have full financial coverage over our loved ones who we are bringing here — plus the cap,” said Omar.

The federal government says it will close the temporary resident pathway for Palestinian extended family in Gaza in April or when it reaches a cap of 5,000 applications — increased from just 1,000 in May last year.

Currently, about 200 application spaces are still open. Though 1,000 applications have been approved, only 800 Gazans have made it to Canada.

In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the IRCC says it needs to process the existing applications and wait until the Rafah border crossing opens so people can exit Gaza.

“The Government of Canada tailors and builds each response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support by engaging and collaborating with diaspora communities in Canada,” said the statement.

The IRCC says a multi-stage security screening approach has been developed. 

“This is necessary as IRCC has no presence in Gaza, and we are unable to collect biometrics,” the IRCC said.

Omar says the process has been loaded with unnecessary layers of bureaucracy.

“If they wanted to announce that we just will issue visas to Palestinians and Gazans, they would have done it instead,” he explained.

“What they have done is added another two steps before you even apply for the visa. That’s how they capped it.”