Headline: Canada Introduces Special Measures for Wildfire Victims, Including Free Replacement Documents
In a recent announcement made by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, a series of special measures have been introduced to assist individuals affected by the devastating wildfires that ravaged Canada during the worst wildfire season on record last year.
The wildfires not only posed threats to health, safety, and economic stability but also highlighted the urgent need for action as Canada’s climate warms at a rate twice that of the global average. With extreme temperatures becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, the severity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfire risks is expected to rise significantly.
To aid those directly impacted, Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by wildfires can now obtain free replacement documents such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other crucial travel documents that have been lost, damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible by the fires. Additionally, employer-specific work permit holders affected by wildfires will have the opportunity to transition to open work permits, ensuring continued support until November 30, 2024.
The special measures also extend to international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors whose status may expire by the aforementioned date, offering them the chance to restore or extend their status in Canada or replace vital documents at no cost. This inclusion allows temporary workers facing work interruptions due to fire-related closures to maintain their status, while international students can extend their study permits in light of course delays or cancellations.
Furthermore, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in wildfire response efforts will be exempt from application and biometrics fees, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating their essential work and expressing gratitude for their invaluable contributions.
Minister Marc Miller emphasized the government’s unwavering dedication to supporting wildfire victims and easing the document replacement process for all affected individuals. As applications for status extensions and work permit renewals are being processed, applicants will retain their current status and work eligibility, ensuring continuity during this challenging period.
With approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lending their expertise to combat wildfires in 2023, these newly implemented measures aim to streamline support for those impacted by the wildfires and express gratitude to all frontline responders for their courage and commitment to safeguarding communities.
For more information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and covered replacement documents, individuals can refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.
In a recent announcement made by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, a series of special measures have been introduced to assist individuals affected by the devastating wildfires that ravaged Canada during the worst wildfire season on record last year.
The wildfires not only posed threats to health, safety, and economic stability but also highlighted the urgent need for action as Canada’s climate warms at a rate twice that of the global average. With extreme temperatures becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, the severity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfire risks is expected to rise significantly.
To aid those directly impacted, Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by wildfires can now obtain free replacement documents such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other crucial travel documents that have been lost, damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible by the fires. Additionally, employer-specific work permit holders affected by wildfires will have the opportunity to transition to open work permits, ensuring continued support until November 30, 2024.
The special measures also extend to international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors whose status may expire by the aforementioned date, offering them the chance to restore or extend their status in Canada or replace vital documents at no cost. This inclusion allows temporary workers facing work interruptions due to fire-related closures to maintain their status, while international students can extend their study permits in light of course delays or cancellations.
Furthermore, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in wildfire response efforts will be exempt from application and biometrics fees, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating their essential work and expressing gratitude for their invaluable contributions.
Minister Marc Miller emphasized the government’s unwavering dedication to supporting wildfire victims and easing the document replacement process for all affected individuals. As applications for status extensions and work permit renewals are being processed, applicants will retain their current status and work eligibility, ensuring continuity during this challenging period.
With approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lending their expertise to combat wildfires in 2023, these newly implemented measures aim to streamline support for those impacted by the wildfires and express gratitude to all frontline responders for their courage and commitment to safeguarding communities.
For more information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and covered replacement documents, individuals can refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.
