OTTAWA - The House of Commons committee on immigration says there has been a distinct difference between the way Canada has treated Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country and those fleeing other humanitarian crises, and MPs want that to change.
The committee, made up of MPs from all parties, is calling on the government to provide the same treatment and special immigration measures that it's extended to Ukrainians to refugees from other regions.
Canada has expedited immigration applications from Ukraine and created an extraordinary program to allow Ukrainian citizens and their families to come to Canada and work or study for three years while they decide their next steps.
Canada has a proud history of welcoming refugees from the around the 🌎
— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) April 6, 2022
Alongside @FillipoGrandi, I joined leaders from other nations and international organizations to launch the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility, which Canada will lead for the first 2 years. pic.twitter.com/ixF5WhcXEP
The program does not apply to non-Ukrainians who fled the country.
The committee says those special measures should be available to Afghans and other refugees in Ukrainian refugee camps.
The MPs say the measures should also be available to Afghans who are still in their Taliban-controlled home country, and refugees from other regions facing humanitarian crises such as Yemen, Myanmar and China.
