OTTAWA - It has been two years since Canada’s government pledged to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees, and in that time has only been able to welcome slightly over 38 per cent of the target number of nationals in to Canada.
According to an announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued on Friday, June 10, 15,475 vulnerable Afghans have made it over to Canada since the government made its pledge to welcome 40,000 refugees in August 2021.
“Canada has a proud history of helping the world's most vulnerable. Although there remains more work to do, I applaud the many people and partners who have helped us bring more than 15,000 Afghan nationals to safety in Canada,” Sean Fraser, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said in a statement. “We are proud of what we have accomplished so far and remain determined to do more to help Afghan refugees."
The latest newcomers arrived in Toronto on Wednesday, June 8 on a charter flight with about 300 Afghan nationals on board as part of Canada’s privately sponsored refugee program.
“Resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals is a complex initiative that requires a whole-of-government approach, and through strong partnerships with provinces and territories, service providers, sponsorship agreement holders, private sponsors and the generosity of Canadians and newcomers we will achieve this goal,” the government said in its statement.
Officials say the government also continues to collaborate with international partners to facilitate safe passage for those in Afghanistan, and is working in Canada to support any newcomers as they settle into Canada.
However, a report by the Canadian Press found that Canada was struggling to process Afghan refugees, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau citing the Taliban takeover as a major barrier in an April 2022 statement.
He said the Taliban are “not exactly being helpful” with Canada’s efforts to bring refugees out of the country, but his government is working with allies in the region and around the world to help Afghans leave.
Back in October 2021, the Liberal Party of Canada promised to resettle all 40,000 Afghan refugees by 2023.
As of Friday, the Government’s key figures page shows that it has received 14,490 applications, 10,565 of which have been approved and 6,985 of which have arrived in Canada through the special immigration program for Afghans who assisted the Government of Canada.
Through the humanitarian program, 8,490 Afghans were processed and welcomed.
So far, 810 Afghans have resettled in Ottawa, 25 in Cornwall and 20 in Gatineau.
- With files from The Canadian Press
