Headline: Canada Announces Support Measures for Wildfire-Affected Individuals
In a bid to aid individuals affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through Canada last year, the Government has announced a series of special measures. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed the support initiatives aimed at helping those impacted by the worst wildfire season on record.
Under the new measures, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lost or damaged important documents such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other travel documents due to wildfires can receive free replacements. Moreover, employer-specific work permit holders affected by the wildfires will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit.
These special measures, effective until November 30, 2024, are designed to alleviate the burden on those grappling with document replacement and temporary status issues, allowing them to focus on rebuilding their lives, families, and communities in the aftermath of the wildfires.
The support extends to international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors who were directly impacted by the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by November 30, 2024. They are eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada at no cost, ensuring that workers facing employment disruptions due to wildfire-related closures can maintain their status, and students facing study disruptions can continue their education without penalty.
In a gesture of gratitude towards foreign emergency services personnel aiding in the wildfire response efforts, the Government has waived application fees and biometrics fees for their entry into Canada.
Minister Marc Miller expressed his commitment to supporting those affected by the wildfires and praised the bravery and dedication of first responders, firefighters, and foreign emergency support personnel working tirelessly to protect Canadian communities. He emphasized the importance of streamlining the document replacement process for affected individuals.
Those applying for an extension of their temporary resident status and a renewal of their work permit will retain their status and work eligibility during the application processing period. The efforts come in the wake of approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel who aided Canada in combating wildfires in 2023.
For more details on eligibility, application procedures, and covered replacement documents under the special measures, individuals are encouraged to visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website. The Government remains steadfast in its support for wildfire-affected individuals as they navigate the aftermath and rebuild their lives.
In a bid to aid individuals affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through Canada last year, the Government has announced a series of special measures. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed the support initiatives aimed at helping those impacted by the worst wildfire season on record.
Under the new measures, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lost or damaged important documents such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other travel documents due to wildfires can receive free replacements. Moreover, employer-specific work permit holders affected by the wildfires will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit.
These special measures, effective until November 30, 2024, are designed to alleviate the burden on those grappling with document replacement and temporary status issues, allowing them to focus on rebuilding their lives, families, and communities in the aftermath of the wildfires.
The support extends to international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors who were directly impacted by the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by November 30, 2024. They are eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada at no cost, ensuring that workers facing employment disruptions due to wildfire-related closures can maintain their status, and students facing study disruptions can continue their education without penalty.
In a gesture of gratitude towards foreign emergency services personnel aiding in the wildfire response efforts, the Government has waived application fees and biometrics fees for their entry into Canada.
Minister Marc Miller expressed his commitment to supporting those affected by the wildfires and praised the bravery and dedication of first responders, firefighters, and foreign emergency support personnel working tirelessly to protect Canadian communities. He emphasized the importance of streamlining the document replacement process for affected individuals.
Those applying for an extension of their temporary resident status and a renewal of their work permit will retain their status and work eligibility during the application processing period. The efforts come in the wake of approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel who aided Canada in combating wildfires in 2023.
For more details on eligibility, application procedures, and covered replacement documents under the special measures, individuals are encouraged to visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website. The Government remains steadfast in its support for wildfire-affected individuals as they navigate the aftermath and rebuild their lives.
