Close X
Monday, September 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

More Canadians ask for help to get out of Sudan: Joly

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Apr, 2023 11:09 AM
  • More Canadians ask for help to get out of Sudan: Joly

OTTAWA — About 50 additional Canadians were evacuated out of Sudan in the last day, but even more have added their names to a list seeking help to flee, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Wednesday.

That means about 150 Canadians and permanent residents have now been helped to get out of the country after violence broke out last week between the East-African country's army and paramilitary force.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this week Canada had a C-17 military plane in the region to help airlift Canadians out but so far has relied on other countries to find space on their planes or boats.

Joly says roughly 1,800 Canadian citizens or permanent residents have now registered their presence in Sudan and 700 of those have asked to be helped out of the country.

On Tuesday Joly told Parliament 1,700 people had registered and 550 had asked for help.

She says Canada is also considering a request from Sudanese diaspora groups for relatives to be able to come to Canada on a temporary basis until the violence abates.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said Wednesday the government called in some workers who were on strike with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, declaring them essential workers in order to help process immigration paperwork for people in Sudan.

"In times of crisis, Canada's always there to help, and that's why we'll be there," Joly told reporters on Parliament Hill.

She noted that Canada is including dual nationals and permanent residents of Canada, as well as foreigners who are their spouses and dependants such as children and grandchildren.

Fraser noted Canada is already fast-tracking applications Sudanese citizens had filed for visitor visas before the violence started, and is waving some fees such as for Canadians with expired passports.

"We see what's going on and are trying to adopt policies that reflect the gravity of the situation on the ground," he told reporters.

"We've actually had some staff return from the public service strike who are deemed essential to help those whose lives may be at risk, which is essential."

Defence Minister Anita Anand would not say whether Canada will send special-forces soldiers into Sudan, as other countries have done.

"We're working very closely with our allies to ensure that we have a secure and targeted approach to get Canadians out," Anand said in response to questions from reporters.

She also did not say when Canada would start flying out people on its own planes. 

"We have personnel and capabilities in the region, including two ships in the waters just off the coast," Anand said, referring to the Red Sea.

"We'll continue to do whatever possible, together with our allies and with our own capabilities, to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians."

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon
A marathon volunteer spotted the device shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday and promptly called 9-1-1. Vancouver Police cordoned off the area, and bomb technicians from VPD’s Emergency Response Team were deployed to examine and destroy the device.

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services
Jenisan Jeyakumar, of the City of Markham, has been charged with personating a Peace Officer and obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration The suspect was arrested and it was confirmed that he is not employed in law enforcement in any capacity.

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged
Pictures of the damaged landmark – a tourist attraction at the corner of Cambie and Water Street – began circulating on social media Saturday night, showing shattered glass on the side of the historic clock. Vancouver Police have now launched an investigation to determine if someone intentionally damaged the clock.

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson said concerns about the potential negative impact of the proposed legislation put forward in July 2020 led the province to consult further with First Nations, families, health-care experts and drug users.

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays
A statement from B.C.'s Agriculture Ministry says the flock has the highly infectious H5N1 virus and has been placed under quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.    

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays

4 dead after Royal Military College incident

4 dead after Royal Military College incident
Few details were released about what happened on the campus located on the Point Frederick peninsula, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, but the government department said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. Friday.

4 dead after Royal Military College incident