Following a series of major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria last month, Ottawa says it will introduce pathways to allow temporary residents from those countries to extend their stay in Canada.
“People who have been impacted will benefit from special treatment in their application to come and receive temporary protection in Canada, including the family members of people who are here,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced during a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., on March 18.
On Feb 6, two major earthquakes hit the Kahramanmaras district of Turkey, killing more than 50,000 people in the country and neighbouring Syria. An estimated 500,000 Syrians have left their homes due to the earthquakes, while over 1.9 million people in Turkey are staying in temporary accommodation shelters.Beginning on March 29, 2023, Turkish and Syrian nationals who has temporary Canadian residency will be able to study, work, or visit family by applying for an extension of their stay. Nationals already in Canada will have an open work permit pathway made available to them.
