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441-01446 (Citizenship and immigration)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

WHEREAS:

  • Sudan is facing a political crisis since the military dissolved the power-sharing government and declared a state of emergency;
  • The pro-democracy movement and the security forces have clashed in mass protests and killings; and
  • Ethnic violence has escalated in some regions over land disputes, leading to hundreds of deaths and a state of emergency.

We, the undersigned residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to:

  • Fast track processing of immigration files of Sudanese residents who wish to immigrate to Canada, in particular those who have family who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.

Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Marie-France Lalonde, M.P.

Canada continues to call for an end to violence in Sudan and stands with the Sudanese people as they strive for peace.

To support Sudanese nationals in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new Temporary measures for Sudanese nationals who are currently in Canada and may be unable to return home due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in their country.

As of April 30, 2023, Sudanese nationals can apply for an extension of their status in Canada and move between temporary resident streams, allowing them to continue studying, working or visiting family free of charge. This includes applying for open work permits that provide access to the labour market and greater flexibility to support themselves while they are in Canada. These measures will help ensure the continued safety of the Sudanese population already in Canada, keep families together, and give them a safe place to stay.

IRCC also introduced Temporary measures  to support family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who have departed Sudan since the violence erupted.

Under these measures, eligible foreign nationals who fled Sudan on or after April 15, 2023 with their Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member(s) may be issued a fee-exempt temporary resident document to facilitate their travel to Canada. Travel must be completed before July 15, 2023. Once in Canada, they will be eligible to apply for a fee-exempt open work permit or study permit, as well as submit a fee-exempt permanent resident application under the family class. Under these measures, a foreign national is eligible for facilitated travel to Canada if they meet the following requirements:

  1. is the family member – per the definition of subsection 1(3) of the Regulations – of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023;
  2. is outside of Sudan in a third country; and
  3. left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023

Further, to facilitate immigration applications for those still in Sudan so they can travel once it’s safe to do so, IRCC is also prioritizing the processing of completed temporary and permanent residence applications already in the system from people still in the country. This includes visitor visa applications for eligible immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, so they can join their loved ones here in Canada.

Canada is also waiving passport and permanent resident travel document fees for citizens and permanent residents of Canada in Sudan who wish to leave.

Presented to the House of Commons
Greg McLean (Calgary Centre)
May 15, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01446)
Government response tabled
July 19, 2023
Photo - Greg McLean
Calgary Centre
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

33 signatures

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.