Canada faces challenges in processing Afghan refugees, says Trudeau – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada faces challenges in dealing with Afghans trying to flee the war-torn country.

Trudeau, whose Liberal government has promised to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees in Canada, says the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is standing in the way.

He says the Taliban “are not really helpful” to Canada’s efforts to get refugees out of the country, but his government is working with allies in the region and around the world to help Afghans leave.

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‘Our patience is over,’ says Afghan who waits for IRCC application while enduring financial hardship

The Veterans Transition Network, a major aid group for Afghans who have supported the Canadian Armed Forces, announced earlier this week that it was ending its operations.

Executive Director Oliver Thorne says “bureaucratic hurdles” in getting the right documents are a bottleneck, and he’s calling on the Canadian government to resume consular services in Afghanistan.

Over 10,600 Afghan refugees have arrived in Canada so far.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 20, 2022.