Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada looks to help applicants from Turkey, Syria

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Feb, 2023 12:46 PM
  • Canada looks to help applicants from Turkey, Syria

OTTAWA - Immigration Minister Sean Fraser signalled this week that Canada may fast-track applications to come to Canada from people in the earthquake zones of Turkey and Syria.

Two major earthquakes rocked southwestern Turkey and northwestern Syria in a matter of hours on Monday, destroying thousands of buildings.

The confirmed death toll keeps rising, with more than 19,800 people killed and at least another 64,000 injured.

Tens of thousands more are homeless in the middle of winter and struggling to access food, water and shelter.

Fraser said his department is trying to figure out the effect on permanent residency applicants already in Canada's immigration system to determine how to help them.

"This is a conversation that we're having," he told reporters.

"We’re trying to understand what the impact is on the clients who are in the system."

On Wednesday, Canada deployed a disaster assessment team to the region to determine what additional aid from Canada is needed.

And a team of search-and-rescue experts from British Columbia that independently offered to help was expected to begin on-the-ground work in the early hours of Thursday local time.

With time running out to recover more people from the rubble, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is pressing the international community to provide money for Turkey and Syria and work on physical access for aid to earthquake-stricken parts of Syria.

Canada announced on Tuesday that it was providing $10 million in humanitarian assistance.

On Wednesday, the government said it would also match up to $10 million in donations to the Canadian Red Cross earmarked for earthquake relief between Feb. 6 and 22.

Some groups, including the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, have urged Ottawa to do much more than it has so far.

But on Thursday, hopes were starting to fade of finding many more people alive, more than three days into the crisis.

The deaths reported so far have surpassed the toll from a 2011 earthquake off Fukushima, Japan, that triggered a tsunami, killing more than 18,400.

MORE National ARTICLES

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.
A statement from the Ministry of Health says Dr. Andrew Larder, who previously served as a medical health officer at both Fraser and Interior Health, joins Hinshaw, and will also be on temporary assignment over the next several months.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.
The meeting at the office of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) on the first day of the new policy began with a man handing out "know your rights" cards. They say people aged 18 and over carrying up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, or ecstasy, for their own use will not have those drugs confiscated.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says
While the current downturn has resulted in a price decline of about 10 per cent, the forecast says steady population growth in Metro Vancouver will underpin prices and maintain or even increase values. It says the average home price this year for apartments, attached and detached homes is expected to climb slightly to $1.2 million, a 1.4 per cent increase.    

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada
U.S. trade officials and dairy industry advocates say a large share of those quotas were being allocated to processors rather than producers. The U.S. says the federal government amended its policies, but that the new procedures remain "inconsistent" with the terms of the agreement, known as USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada.

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning
Snow created slick conditions on the roads and caused delays for commuters in traffic. There were also crashes on many routes of Vancouver and South of the Fraser. Cars got stuck up the hill and there were major delays in transit throughout the day.

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards
The Health Standards Organization released updated standards Tuesday that say residents should get at least four hours of direct care every day. The standards from the panel of experts at the non-profit standards organization also say those who work in those residences must be paid more.

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards