New support for Turkish and Syrian temporary residents in Canada affected by earthquakes

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announces new measures to make it easier for Turkish and Syrian nationals affected by the recent earthquakes to come to Canada and also to remain in the country. The measures will be in effect from March 29 to September 25, 2023. Iqwinder Gaheer (the MP for Mississauga—Malton), Omar Alghabra (federal transport minister), Marwa Khobieh (executive director, Syrian Canadian Foundation), and Sima Acan (president, Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations) also take part in the news conference in Mississauga, Ontario. Measures include prioritizing temporary residency applications. Prioritization will also apply for family members who are already in Canada. At least 50,000 people were killed in the earthquakes that struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria on February 6, 2023. More than 3,000 people from the two countries have arrived in Canada since the earthquakes. (March 18, 2023)