OTTAWA,
ON, July 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Last year,
Canada experienced the worst
wildfire season on record, which threatened the health, safety and
economic stability of people in Canada and their communities. Canada's climate is warming twice as fast as
the global average. As our climate continues to change, extreme hot
temperatures will become more frequent and more intense due to
climate change. This will increase the severity of heat waves and
contribute to increased drought and wildfire risks. The Government
of Canada is committed to
supporting those affected across the county and assisting provinces
and territories with their emergency responses.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship, announced special measures for people
affected by wildfires. Canadian citizens and permanent residents
directly affected by wildfires can get free replacement documents.
These include permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship
certificates, Canadian passports and other travel documents that
are lost, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible due to wildfires.
Additionally, people in Canada
affected by wildfires who are employer-specific work permit holders
will have the ability to transition to an open work permit.
These special measures are in effect until November 30,
2024. This will give people the time they need to determine which
documents need to be replaced or to sort out temporary status
issues, while focusing on their families, their homes and their
communities.
International students, temporary foreign workers and other
visitors directly affected by the wildfires, and whose status will
expire by November 30, 2024, are also eligible to restore or
extend their status in Canada, or
to replace a status document, free of charge. This means that
temporary workers who are unable to work because their workplace is
closed due to the fires will be able to extend their status. In
addition, international students can extend their study permits if
their classes are delayed or cancelled and finish their studies
without penalty.
Additional measures have been put in place to exempt foreign
emergency services personnel entering Canada to help fight wildfires from paying
application fees and biometrics fees. This proactive measure serves
as both a gesture of gratitude and a means to facilitate their
critical work.
More information about who is eligible, how to apply, and what
replacement documents are covered under the special measures is
available on IRCC's website.
Quote:
"We remain steadfast in our efforts to support those affected by
severe wildfires. Our measures will simplify the process for
Canadians, permanent residents and temporary residents to replace
lost documents. To the first responders and firefighters across the
country, as well as the foreign emergency support personnel
entering Canada to assist in the
response, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your bravery and
dedication in protecting our communities."
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts:
- Those who apply for an extension of their temporary resident
status and a renewal of their work permit continue to benefit from
maintained status while their application is being processed, and
remain eligible to work as per the conditions of their original
work permit.
- Approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel came
to Canada's aid to combat
wildfires in 2023.
Associated Links:
- Wildfires – Canada.ca
- Prepare for wildfires
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SOURCE Citizenship and Immigration Canada