Canada to fast-track refugees’ and immigrants’ applications

Ottawa, Canada, January 15: Canada will open its doors to the Haitians who want to come to Canada by fast-tracking the applications of those wishing to reunite with their families. 

This has been clarified by the Prime Minister Stephen Harper this Thursday stating that the minister of irrigation, Jason Kenney, had been involved in discussions over the matter following the earthquake that left the Caribbean country in a serious crippled condition. 

The Federal government showed quick response to extend help to the Haitians and was serious about easing immigration rules for allowing more refugees into Canada. The process will, however, take a couple of days before it gets underway, the PM said. 

Meanwhile, the first group of comprising of nearly 150 evacuees from Haiti arrived in Montreal in the military air transport. Among these evacuees were 60 children, many of them suffering injuries in the earthquake. 

It may be mentioned that nearly 6,000 people of Canadian origin live in Haiti. The Canadian Embassy is serving as a refuge for the citizens of Canada living in Haiti. 

The immediate concern of the government of Canada is to expedite the relief and rescue efforts towards one of the worst earthquake disaster in Haiti.

And the next agenda after the relief efforts towards the Haitians is to work towards quick processing of applications by Haitians so that they can be brought closer to their relatives in Canada. This will be done under the family reunification provisions of the Immigration Act, the government officials stated. 

Under this provision of the Immigration Act, citizens or permanent residents of Canada are eligible for filing applications to bring their spouses, dependent children (below 22 years of age or unmarried), common-law partners or eligible relatives including parent or grandparent. 

And, there may be extended a special provision like easing of document conditions for would-be Haitian immigrations subject to health conditions and on showing proof of having family relations in Canada. 

It may be reminded that a severe earthquake measuring 7.0- magnitude had struck Haiti earlier this week in which thousands were buried alive and unaccountable homes were destroyed.