14.07°C Vancouver

Feb 7, 2024 6:21 PM - The Canadian Press

Immigration minister 'pissed off' that Canadians' families blocked from leaving Gaza

Share On
immigration-minister-pissed-off-that-canadians-families-blocked-from-leaving-gaza
Ottawa started accepting applications last month to reunite as many as 1,000 people in the Palestinian territory with extended family members in Canada.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he's frustrated and "pissed off" that a list of people related to Canadians are being blocked from leaving the embattled Gaza Strip.

Ottawa started accepting applications last month to reunite as many as 1,000 people in the Palestinian territory with extended family members in Canada.

Canada has provided an initial list of pre-approved people to Israel and Egypt, who jointly control the only border crossing out of Gaza.

Miller says he is exploring diplomatic options and doesn't want to give up, but he also doesn't want to offer families false hope that their relatives will be able to get out.

The minister says he thinks foreign authorities may have some trepidation about how broad Canada's program could get.

Miller previously said he's willing to be flexible on the number of people who can access the program, but now says it can't be expanded if no one can get across the border.

Latest news

verdict-expected-in-abbotsford-double-homicide-trial-involving-2022-home-invasion
BCMay 08, 2026

Verdict expected in Abbotsford double homicide trial involving 2022 home invasion

A B.C. Supreme Court judge is expected to deliver a verdict today in the first-degree murder trial of three men charged in the deaths of an elderly Abbotsford couple during a 2022 home invasion. Court heard during the judge-alone trial that 77-year-old Arnold De Jong died from asphyxiation after his head and face were wrapped in duct tape, while 76-year-old Joanne De Jong was beaten and had her throat slashed. The couple’s bodies were discovered inside their Abbotsford home in May 2022. Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, all in their 20s, pleaded not guilty to first-degree mu
canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-9-in-april-as-full-time-job-losses-mount
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada’s unemployment rate rises to 6.9% in April as full-time job losses mount

Canada’s unemployment rate increased to 6.9 per cent in April, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The figure marks the country’s highest unemployment rate in the past six months. Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 17,700 jobs during the month. Full-time employment saw the sharpest decline, with 46,700 positions lost, while part-time employment increased by 29,000 jobs. The agency said Canada has lost a total of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of 2026. Youth unemployment continued to outpace the national average, rising to 14.3 per cent in April. Eco
BCMay 07, 2026

Police seek public help identifying suspect in Chilliwack bus driver assault

Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect connected to an assault on a bus driver earlier this year. According to police, the incident happened March 16 near South Sumas Road and Vedder Road in Chilliwack. Investigators said the suspect was a passenger on the bus and allegedly assaulted the driver, causing injuries. RCMP have not released details about what led to the incident. However, officers said investigators obtained video footage from the area showing a young man leaving the scene after the alleged assault. Police estimate the suspect is between 18 and 19
AlbertaMay 07, 2026

Edmonton expected to see warm temperatures and strong winds into next week

Daytime temperatures in Edmonton are expected to remain between 18 C and 23 C through the rest of this week and into next week, according to weather forecasts. Forecasters say several periods of strong winds are also expected across the region over the next one to two weeks. Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts stronger wind conditions on Thursday and Friday. Wind speeds could approach 40 kilometres per hour during the afternoon hours. After easing overnight, winds are expected to increase again Friday morning, reaching about 30 km/h. Forecast models suggest conditions may remain re
ottawa-projects-140m-in-savings-from-new-refugee-health-care-co-pay
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Ottawa projects $140M in savings from new refugee health-care co-pay

The federal government says changes to refugee and asylum claimant health coverage introduced this month are expected to reduce public spending by about $140 million this fiscal year. The changes, which took effect May 1 under the Interim Federal Health Program, require refugee claimants and asylum seekers to pay part of the cost for some supplementary and prescription health services. According to federal data tabled in response to an order paper question from NDP MP Heather McPherson, the largest projected savings – about $93 million – are tied to dental care coverage. Under the revised

Related News