IRCC to provide financial assistance for Gazans arriving in Canada

Palestinians who have left Gaza will soon receive transitional financial assistance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when they arrive in Canada.

The department says that this financial assistance will help Gazans to meet their basic needs upon arrival, such as food, shelter, and clothing, while they look for work. IRCC will release more details about the program “when available.”

“Providing settlement and financial support is critical to addressing the immediate challenges faced by Gazans finding safety in Canada,” says Canada’s immigration minister Marc Miller.

In addition to the financial supports, Gazans fleeing conflict in the region will benefit from:

• three months of temporary health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program to help address urgent medical needs upon arrival; and
• settlement services such as language training, information about and orientation to life in Canada (such as help enrolling children in school or opening a bank account), and information and services to help them find a job.

So far, 4,245 applications have been accepted into processing under IRCC’s temporary resident pathway for Palestinian extended family in Gaza and 733 people have been approved to come to Canada. These individuals had Temporary Resident Visa applications in progress and were able to submit their biometrics.