Headline: Canada Offers Special Support to Those Affected by Devastating Wildfires
In a record-breaking wildfire season last year, Canada faced unprecedented challenges that jeopardized the well-being and stability of its people and communities. With the country’s climate heating up at twice the global average rate, the threat of extreme temperatures, heatwaves, and heightened wildfire risks looms larger due to climate change.
Taking swift action, the Government of Canada, led by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has unveiled a series of special measures to assist those impacted by the wildfires. Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by the fires can receive replacement documents free of charge, including vital identifications such as permanent resident cards, citizenship certificates, passports, and travel documents lost or damaged in the wildfires.
Moreover, individuals in Canada hit by wildfires who hold employer-specific work permits will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit under the announced special measures, which will remain in effect until November 30, 2024. This flexibility aims to alleviate administrative hurdles for those needing to replace crucial documents or address temporary status concerns while focusing on rebuilding their lives, families, and communities.
International students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors facing direct impacts from the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by November 30, 2024, are eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada without any associated fees. This ensures that temporary workers impacted by workplace closures due to the fires can extend their status, while international students facing delays or cancellations in their studies can smoothly continue their academic pursuits.
Additionally, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in wildfire containment efforts will be exempt from application fees and biometrics charges, recognizing their vital contribution to the firefighting operations.
Minister Miller emphasized, “We remain resolutely committed to aiding those affected by these devastating wildfires. Our relief measures will streamline the process for residents and visitors to replace important documents. We express our deepest appreciation to the courageous first responders and firefighters across the nation, as well as the international emergency support teams contributing to our community protection efforts.”
Individuals applying for temporary resident status extensions or work permit renewals will retain their legal status and work eligibility during the processing period. Notably, in 2023, around 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lent their expertise to combat wildfires in Canada.
For media inquiries, contact: Aissa Diop, Director of Communications, Minister’s Office, Immigration, Refuge
In a record-breaking wildfire season last year, Canada faced unprecedented challenges that jeopardized the well-being and stability of its people and communities. With the country’s climate heating up at twice the global average rate, the threat of extreme temperatures, heatwaves, and heightened wildfire risks looms larger due to climate change.
Taking swift action, the Government of Canada, led by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has unveiled a series of special measures to assist those impacted by the wildfires. Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by the fires can receive replacement documents free of charge, including vital identifications such as permanent resident cards, citizenship certificates, passports, and travel documents lost or damaged in the wildfires.
Moreover, individuals in Canada hit by wildfires who hold employer-specific work permits will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit under the announced special measures, which will remain in effect until November 30, 2024. This flexibility aims to alleviate administrative hurdles for those needing to replace crucial documents or address temporary status concerns while focusing on rebuilding their lives, families, and communities.
International students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors facing direct impacts from the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by November 30, 2024, are eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada without any associated fees. This ensures that temporary workers impacted by workplace closures due to the fires can extend their status, while international students facing delays or cancellations in their studies can smoothly continue their academic pursuits.
Additionally, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in wildfire containment efforts will be exempt from application fees and biometrics charges, recognizing their vital contribution to the firefighting operations.
Minister Miller emphasized, “We remain resolutely committed to aiding those affected by these devastating wildfires. Our relief measures will streamline the process for residents and visitors to replace important documents. We express our deepest appreciation to the courageous first responders and firefighters across the nation, as well as the international emergency support teams contributing to our community protection efforts.”
Individuals applying for temporary resident status extensions or work permit renewals will retain their legal status and work eligibility during the processing period. Notably, in 2023, around 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lent their expertise to combat wildfires in Canada.
For media inquiries, contact: Aissa Diop, Director of Communications, Minister’s Office, Immigration, Refuge
