A man proposing to bring severely injured children from war-torn Gaza to Canada for medical treatment is urging the federal government to support the idea.
Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor whose three daughters died in the 2009 conflict in Gaza, says Ottawa appears to be unwilling to facilitate visitor visas that would allow wounded kids to enter Canada.
He says Gaza's health-care system is severely damaged and overwhelmed by the number of injured civilians, including thousands of children.
Abuelaish says it would be difficult to ensure the safety of Canadian medical staff in Gaza, which the federal Conservatives seems to be suggesting is a better option.
He says Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird hasn't replied to his requests for a meeting to talk about the matter.
Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins, a doctor who has worked in war zones, says the province is willing to treat injured children from Gaza and Israel.