Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa Looking At Reuniting Syrian Family After Fire Claims Seven Children: PM Trudeau

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Feb, 2019 09:11 PM

    HALIFAX — Justin Trudeau says the federal government is taking steps to reunite a Syrian refugee in Halifax with family members living overseas following a devastating house fire that killed the woman's seven children and left her husband badly burned.


    "We are looking at what can be done within our system to give this family a little solace in a time of unbelievable tragedy," the prime minister said after a funding announcement in Halifax.


    "I can't comment on specific cases, but in heartbreaking cases like this we're certainly looking at doing what we can to bring this family that has suffered such a devastating loss together."


    Kawthar Barho and her husband Ebraheim arrived in Nova Scotia with their children as privately sponsored refugees in September 2017.


    Early Tuesday, a fast-moving fire killed all seven of their children, prompting a outpouring of grief and support from across the country.


    With his wife at his side in a Halifax hospital, Ebraheim Barho remains in a medically induced coma.


    A funeral for the children, who range in age from three months to 14 years, is expected either Friday or Saturday.


    Trudeau said Halifax MP Andy Fillmore had already contacted Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen about expediting the immigration process for family members.

     


    Kawthar Barho has no other relatives living in Canada.


    "I can tell you that this is a case that the minister is giving personal attention to," said Trudeau, who was among hundreds of people who gathered for a vigil in Halifax's main square Wednesday night in support of the Barhos.


    Fillmore said immigration applications were being reviewed Thursday.


    "This is an absolute priority to get this done as quickly as possible," he said. "I think it's absolutely critical that we get those family members here as quickly as we can."


    The Liberal MP said he had met with Kawthar at the hospital, where she was asked if there was anything federal officials could do to help.


    "She made it clear that it was her family," Fillmore said.

     


    At Wednesday's vigil, Ali Duane, a member of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, urged all Canadians to pressure Ottawa to bring Kawthar Barho's family members to Nova Scotia.


    The Barhos had only lived in the Halifax suburb of Spryfield for a few months, having moved to the city from Elmsdale, N.S., to take advantage of language training and other immigrant services.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Do You Recognize This Man? Suspect Sketch Released After Surrey Teen Assaulted In Tynehead Area

    Surrey RCMP are releasing a composite sketch of the suspect involved in a stranger assault that occurred on January 16 in the Tynehead area of Surrey.

    Do You Recognize This Man? Suspect Sketch Released After Surrey Teen Assaulted In Tynehead Area

    Surrey RCMP Looking For Interested Volunteers - Apply Now!

    Applications are accepted from January 29th to February 28th 2019 through the Surrey RCMP website.

    Surrey RCMP Looking For Interested Volunteers - Apply Now!

    Surrey RCMP Searching For Missing Woman Rajwinder Bains

    Surrey RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing female.

    Surrey RCMP Searching For Missing Woman Rajwinder Bains

    SEE PICS: Cocaine, Cash, Spiked Bat Seized From Home Of Suspected Burnaby Drug Dealer

    Weapons such as the ones pictured below are now off the streets along with a significant amount of what is suspected to be cocaine thanks to the work of Burnaby RCMP’s Drugs Section.

    SEE PICS: Cocaine, Cash, Spiked Bat Seized From Home Of Suspected Burnaby Drug Dealer

    Nanaimo Byelection Tests Strength Of NDP's Minority Government In B.C.

    Nanaimo Byelection Tests Strength Of NDP's Minority Government In B.C.
    Voters in Nanaimo cast ballots today in a byelection that could leave British Columbia's legislature deadlocked and Premier John Horgan's minority New Democrat government on shaky ground.

    Nanaimo Byelection Tests Strength Of NDP's Minority Government In B.C.

    Searchers Look For Cowboy Whose Horse Returned Without Him In Merritt

    Searchers Look For Cowboy Whose Horse Returned Without Him In Merritt
    Search and rescue crews, RCMP and others are scouring an area of Merritt, B.C., looking for a cowboy whose horse was found in full gear on Monday without its rider.

    Searchers Look For Cowboy Whose Horse Returned Without Him In Merritt