18th January 2025 – Already on the back-foot for implementing mass immigration policies in the past 5 years, the Liberal government has irked Canadians as it announced a special financial assistance program for Gazans arriving in Canada.
As per the news release by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced that Palestinians who have arrived in Canada can apply to receive financial assistance which will consist of a direct, one-time payment of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child who is 17 years and under.
The news release further read, “In addition to the above, temporary resident visa (TRV) applications fees and biometrics fees will be refunded to people applying for the temporary measures for extended family in Gaza. Those who have already submitted their TRV application and paid the fees will receive a refund in the coming weeks.”
Maxime Bernier, PPC leader, questioned this move and said that Ottawa has spent $215M in Gaza over the past year. In his tweet on X, he asked, “Why don’t the dozens of neighbouring Muslim and Arabic countries take care of these people? Why do Canadians have to pay to help everyone in the world instead of helping Canadians in need?”
In July 2024, the U.S. Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and shared his concern that this may allow Gazans with potential terrorist ties to enter the U.S. via Canada. His letter read, that “the possibility of terrorists crossing the U.S.-Canada border is deeply concerning given the deep penetration of Gazan society by Hamas.”
See details of the letter here.
Locally, Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) ridiculed the Liberal government for this program and mocked that Canadians should now be prepare to work harder and pay more taxes. In its tweet on X, HFC noted that “public opinion polls indicate that many Canadians are concerned about whether the Liberal government can adequately screen refugees from Gaza and the West Bank, given reports of affiliations with and support for Hamas in the region.”
