Thursday, March 12, 2026
ADVT 
National

More than 5,000 Canadians have fled Middle East, Anand says demand for help dropping

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Mar, 2026 09:35 AM
  • More than 5,000 Canadians have fled Middle East, Anand says demand for help dropping

Global Affairs Canada says it has helped more than 5,000 Canadians leave the Middle East since the latest conflict began, and demand for evacuation support is now falling off.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is urging Canadians thinking of leaving the Middle East to do so and says the number of daily calls for help is now half what it was last week.

Her department says more than 4,300 Canadians, permanent residents and their relatives fleeing the region arrived in Canada between March 4 and March 8, through direct and indirect routes.

Another 871 people left the region for a safe third country such as Turkey, according to Global Affairs Canada.

As of Sunday, less than five per cent of the nearly 110,000 Canadians registered in the region had sought help to leave.

Global Affairs Canada says it is not aware of any Canadians killed or injured in the violence that started with American airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

MORE National ARTICLES

Third extortion-linked shooting in a week in Surrey, B.C.

Third extortion-linked shooting in a week in Surrey, B.C.
Police in Surrey, B.C., say they have responded to another shooting related to extortion violence.

Third extortion-linked shooting in a week in Surrey, B.C.

Carney takes cautious approach to Trump's invitation to join 'Board of Peace'

Carney takes cautious approach to Trump's invitation to join 'Board of Peace'
Prime Minister Mark Carney is sounding a cautious note on his invitation to take part in U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" — even as other leaders balk at the hefty price tag and the list of countries Trump has invited to participate.

Carney takes cautious approach to Trump's invitation to join 'Board of Peace'

Carney's pitch at World Economic Forum could set stage for new global partnerships

Carney's pitch at World Economic Forum could set stage for new global partnerships
Experts say Canada's presence at the World Economic Forum takes on more importance this year with Prime Minister Mark Carney's pitch to expand global trade relationships, especially as rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to "hijack" the annual meeting.

Carney's pitch at World Economic Forum could set stage for new global partnerships

Carney calls on middle powers to band together in World Economic Forum speech

Carney calls on middle powers to band together in World Economic Forum speech
Prime Minister Mark Carney told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday that the globe has entered a perilous new age of great power rivalries.

Carney calls on middle powers to band together in World Economic Forum speech

Canada Commits $127 Million to Indo-Pacific Development as Sarai Concludes Vietnam, Indonesia and Fiji Tour

Canada Commits $127 Million to Indo-Pacific Development as Sarai Concludes Vietnam, Indonesia and Fiji Tour
Secretary of State announces funding for 18 projects across Vietnam, Indonesia and Fiji, marking Canada's high commission opening in Suva

Canada Commits $127 Million to Indo-Pacific Development as Sarai Concludes Vietnam, Indonesia and Fiji Tour

Lunar New Year celebration returns to Museum of Surrey

Lunar New Year celebration returns to Museum of Surrey
Museum of Surrey is celebrating the Year of the Horse by hosting their annual Lunar New Year celebration, on Saturday, February 21, from 1-4 p.m.

Lunar New Year celebration returns to Museum of Surrey