The Canadian Government promptly responds to the unprecedented wildfire season by assisting the affected communities and their inhabitants, in Ottawa on June 12, 2023. This entails support for impacted individuals and those essential to the rebuilding endeavor.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, who oversees Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, has unveiled a set of unique measures aimed at aiding people affected by the wildfires. These new initiatives will allow them to obtain crucial documents or extend their stay in Canada.
IRCC will provide complimentary replacement documents to Canadians, permanent residents, and temporary residents who the wildfires have directly impacted. This refers to permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, Canadian passports, and other travel documents that have been lost, damaged, destroyed, or are currently unavailable.
Furthermore, individuals such as international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors, who have been impacted by the wildfires and whose status is due to expire by September 30, 2023, will be given the chance to apply for renewals or extensions without any cost in Canada. It guarantees that those who are temporarily employed and encounter work interruptions resulting from closures caused by fire can prolong their employment status until their workplaces resume operations. Moreover, learners who come from other countries have the option to prolong their study permits if their courses get postponed or annulled, which allows them to finish their academic pursuits without facing any consequences.
Until September 30, 2023, Canadians, permanent residents, and temporary residents will benefit from these unique actions, giving them sufficient time to deal with any document-related or temporary status concerns. This allows them to focus on their families, homes, and communities during this difficult time.