Question Period Note: SUDAN

Canada’s response to the crisis in Sudan.

• Canada continues to call for an end to violence in Sudan and remains deeply concerned for the safety of the people in the country.
• IRCC has implemented several special measures to help those affected by the situation in Sudan.
• Intake for the family-based humanitarian pathway for both Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who were residents in Sudan on April 15, 2023 has been temporarily paused as we assess whether the intake cap has been reached.
• We also continue to prioritize the processing of temporary and permanent residence applications from individuals who are still in Sudan and for those who have fled the country to the surrounding region.
• Since Spring 2023, Sudanese nationals can apply for a fee-exempt extension of their status in Canada and move between temporary streams which will allow them to continue studying, working or visiting family. These measures are extended until October 27, 2024.
If pressed on financial requirements for applicants/anchors:

• This pathway has been designed to allow Canadian anchors who have enough income or savings to financially support their relatives for one year and facilitate their successful integration in Canada. The financial requirements of this humanitarian pathway are modelled on the Family Class and Private Sponsorship of Refugees programs.

• Approved clients will have access to IRCC-funded services available through IRCC’s Settlement Program, like all permanent residents. We will also waive the right of permanent residence fee and biometric fees.

If pressed on Sudanese that have come to Canada since the conflict started:

• 462 Canadian citizens and permanent residents arrived in Canada via assisted departure.

• Between April 23, 2023 and March 31, 2024 people admitted to Canada from Sudan included 3,688 admissions as Permanent Residents and 1,384 as Temporary Residents.

• The new humanitarian pathway opened on February 27, 2024. As of May 5, 2024, applications for approximately 4,477 persons (excluding non-accompanying dependents) (1,934 applications) have passed completeness checks and been put into processing. There are no approved applications or arrivals yet.

• On April 15, 2023, armed conflict erupted between two rival factions in Sudan, resulting in heavy fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the country. The security situation in the country rapidly deteriorated and continues to show no sign of stabilizing. As of late December 2023, at least 10,000 people had been killed and approximately 6 million people been displaced from their homes.

• Canada has called for the resumption of dialogue towards a civilian-led transitional government, urging both parties to respect any ceasefire and engage in mediation efforts.

Family-based humanitarian pathway

• On February 27, 2024, IRCC launched a family-based humanitarian pathway to facilitate permanent residence for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals affected by the conflict in Sudan. This pathway has been designed to reunite families, bringing at least 7,000 individuals to safety in Canada.
• The intake portal for new applications paused on May 6, 2024. Submitted applications are being assessed in order to determine if the program has reached its cap of 3,250 applications accepted into processing.

In-Canada extensions

• On April 30, 2023, IRCC implemented immigration measures to support Sudanese temporary residents who are currently in Canada. A public policy is in effect to allow Sudanese nationals to submit a fee-exempt application for an extension of their temporary resident status in Canada and move between temporary resident streams so that they can continue to study, work, or visit family, until it is safe to go back to Sudan. It also provides access to fee-exempt open work permits to clients, if desired, to afford access to the labour market, and greater flexibility to support themselves while they are in Canada.

• As of March 31, 2024, 1066 applications for temporary residence extensions for Sudanese nationals have been processed.

Measures for residents in Sudan with pending immigration applications

• To facilitate immigration applications for those still in Sudan so they can travel once it is safe to do so, the Government of Canada is prioritizing the processing of completed temporary and permanent residence applications already in the system from people still in the country.

Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who departed Sudan

• To facilitate immigration applications for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who fled Sudan, Canada issued immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents fee-exempt travel documents to facilitate onward travel to Canada.

• Those who arrived before July 15, 2023 are able to apply for an open work permit or a study permit, fee-exempt. They are also able to submit a fee-exempt application for permanent residence under the Family Class and have their applications prioritized.

• This public policy was extended until October 27, 2024.

• On April 12 Canada announced it is providing $132.2 million in international assistance funding, including $100.7 million in humanitarian assistance funding and $31.5 million in development assistance funding, to address urgent needs in Sudan and its neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

If pressed on pathway:
• The family-based humanitarian pathway is open to Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who were resident in Sudan on April 15, 2023. This recognizes the fact that there are many foreign nationals impacted by the crisis in Sudan that may have ties to Canada.

• Program intake caps and/or expiry dates are a standard practice in public policies.

If pressed on definition of family:

• As the situation in Sudan continues to evolve, we have made extended family members eligible for the newly announced humanitarian permanent residence pathway, including children of any age, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and siblings.

• The definition of family member is consistent with other recent family-based humanitarian pathways for Ukraine and the Americas.

If pressed on difficulty accessing documentation (i.e. technical issues) / travelling to consulates in a warzone:
• If the applicant cannot provide one or more documents required on the document checklist, they must provide a written explanation for each missing document. They must also provide any other evidence or documents they have available to satisfy the requirement.

• Applicants experiencing internet connectivity issues may choose to ask a representative to act on their behalf, including an anchor relative.

• Since August 2023, IRCC Rome and other partners have established Port Sudan as a new operational hub, and found new ways to deliver travel documents. Furthermore, remote interviews are being organized in Kassala and Port Sudan, which will be accessible to the vast majority of IRCC clients in Sudan.

If pressed on any plan to increase the numbers of people that can apply:

• To respond to recent crises around the world, Canada has employed a mix of temporary and permanent measures to address the unique needs of each situation, and balance the resettlement of refugees while recognizing the desire for many individuals to return to their country once it is safe to do so. Our recent initiatives have focused on facilitating family reunification and providing facilitative measures or pathways to Canada for those with humanitarian needs.

• IRCC must monitor and examine volumes of applications received under the family-based pathway for Sudan. Program volumes as well as how the situation on the ground evolves, will be carefully assessed to ensure Canada is continuing to meet the needs of the population.

If pressed on refugees:

• Canada has a proud and long-standing tradition of providing protection to the most vulnerable people. Through our refugee resettlement programs Canada currently accepts many refugees who sought asylum in Sudan, as well as Sudanese nationals who have fled to other countries. We are continuing to work closely with partners to facilitate the processing of these refugees.

• In 2023, Canada resettled 900 Sudanese refugees under all three resettlement streams: Blended Sponsorship Refugees (15), Government-Assisted Refugees (710), and Privately Sponsored Refugees (175).

If pressed on humanitarian assistance:
• In 2024, Canada is providing $100.7 million in humanitarian assistance and $31.5 million in development assistance to its humanitarian partners (including the UN, Red Cross, and other civil society and non-governmental partners) to address urgent needs in Sudan and its neighbouring countries.
• Canada provided $3 million in funding for Combatting and Responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sudan. Canada has also provided $3 million in funding for education in emergencies in Sudan, to provide immediate access to safe learning spaces for the most vulnerable children, especially girls.
If pressed on gender-based considerations e.g., to accommodate single daughters of siblings over the age of 22:
• IRCC has existing authorities and guidance for officers to address circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, that merit humanitarian and compassionate considerations. Officers abroad have the expertise to assess these exceptional circumstances and other relevant factors.
• This could include taking into consideration the situational risk of gender-based violence that may be experienced by young, single female family members who are not included in the definition of family.