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OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Marc Miller mentioned a movement handed by the Commons and criticized by Israel may make it tougher to get Gazans fleeing the struggle into Canada.
Canada has had a program to permit Gazans looking for to go away the struggle to return on a brief resident visa to Canada if they’ve household ties. The federal government launched this system initially with a 1,000-person cap, however solely 14 individuals have managed to reap the benefits of it due to restrictions on the Gaza-Egypt and Gaza-Israel borders.
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The NDP movement, which handed the Home of Commons with Liberal assist on Tuesday, referred to as for an instantaneous ceasefire, an finish of arms exports to Israel and an enlargement of the short-term resident visa program. It additionally referred to as for sanctions towards “extremist” Israeli settlers who’ve seized land within the West Financial institution.
Miller mentioned the movement may really make issues tougher.
“The Israeli authorities has been fairly clear in saying they’re watching the actions of the Canadian authorities and any actions which are seen as to be unfavourable can have an effect on their decision-making on the highest political degree,” Miller mentioned on Wednesday.
The movement, which is non-binding, was denounced by a number of Jewish teams in Canada. Israel’s overseas minister, Israel Katz, mentioned Canada was taking a step that undermined his nation’s proper to self-defence.
“Historical past will choose Canada’s present motion harshly. Israel will proceed to struggle till Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are returned house,” he mentioned on X.
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Miller mentioned Parliament took a principled stand, however Canada shouldn’t be naive about potential penalties.
“I’m not saying the movement was a nasty factor to undertake. I believe it represents a principled place of Canada,” he mentioned. “However actions of the Authorities of Canada have penalties, and on the actual influence of that program, I don’t assume that movement was essentially a superb factor.”
Miller mentioned this system has had little success however mentioned the Gaza border crossing are out of Canada’s management.
“This can be a program that we knew from the get-go could possibly be a failure. Thus far it’s a failure, and it’s one thing I believe we have to acknowledge.” he mentioned.
The symbolic movement has additionally brought about divisions throughout the Liberal caucus. Three Liberal MPs break up with the get together and voted towards it.
Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather mentioned after the vote he’s mulling his place within the get together, confirming on Wednesday that he doesn’t have any updates on whether or not or not he’s going to go away the caucus.
However he skipped his get together’s caucus assembly Wednesday, which he usually attends in individual. A number of Liberal MPs mentioned that they had not reached out to him but, however plan to take action.
Nationwide Submit, with further reporting by The Canadian Press
rtumilty@postmedia.com
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