Thousands of families are waiting, but only a few have made it out. That’s the current state of Canada’s Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) program for Palestinian Canadians with family members stuck in war-torn Gaza. Despite promises, policy announcements, and headlines, the ground reality remains grim. As bombs continue to fall and humanitarian conditions worsen, calls for immediate government action are growing louder. NDP MP Jenny Kwan is leading that charge, saying loud and clear: the TRV program is falling short, very short. And for those with loved ones still trapped in Gaza, time is not a luxury they can afford.

Let’s dive into what’s really happening with the Gaza TRV program, why it matters, and what needs to change urgently.

What Is the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa Program?

In early 2024, Canada introduced a special Temporary Resident Visa program meant to reunite Palestinian Canadians with immediate family members in Gaza. The idea was simple: allow people to bring their loved ones to safety.

But by March 6, 2025, the program stopped accepting applications after hitting its 5,000-person cap. And here’s where things get concerning:

• Out of 5,000 approved applications, only 860 individuals arrived in Canada as of August 1, 2025.
• The rest remain stranded, trapped by border closures, conflict, and procedural delays.

Political Pressure Builds: Jenny Kwan Demands Action

At a recent press conference on Parliament Hill, NDP Immigration Critic Jenny Kwan didn’t mince words. Joined by Palestinian Canadians, refugee advocates, and legal experts, she demanded real solutions not just press releases.

Kwan highlighted several key issues:

• Biometric Roadblock: In war zones, biometric collection (fingerprints, photographs, etc.) becomes nearly impossible. Kwan argued the government must find alternative methods to process applications.
• Lack of Political Will: According to Kwan, there has been “zero political will” to adapt and respond to the challenges of evacuating applicants from an active conflict zone.
• Government Inaction: With Global Affairs Canada yet to offer clear solutions, applicants and their families are stuck in limbo, often at risk of injury or death.

“We’re not just talking about red tape. We’re talking about human lives,” said Kwan during her address.

Stories Behind the Numbers: Families Left Waiting

Omar, founder of the Gazan Canadians League, stood beside Kwan to share personal stories of those left behind. Najla Alzaanin, another speaker, has family members waiting for evacuation, uncertain if help will ever arrive.

“My brother is sleeping next to a collapsed building,” Alzaanin shared, “and we’re still waiting for the Canadian government to make a move.”

These are not isolated stories, they represent the daily reality for hundreds of families. And with every passing week, the risk grows.

What’s Holding Up the Process?

Here are the main challenges causing delays in the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa Program:

What Needs to Change Now?

1. Accept Biometric Alternatives: Canada must explore secure digital identity verification or accept partial documentation in emergency cases.
2. Expand the Cap: The original 5,000-person cap was always too low. Families are large, and many were left out. Expanding this limit is essential.
3. Expedite Coordination with Regional Partners: The Canadian government should actively negotiate with Egypt and other regional authorities for safe humanitarian exits.
4. Assign Emergency Teams on Ground: Canadian immigration officers or partnered NGOs could help on the ground to process applications and gather data quickly.

Housing and Immigration: Two Crises, One Need

While pressure mounts on immigration issues, Kwan is also critical of the government’s Build Canada Homes initiative. Calling it a delayed and redundant step, she stressed the need for real collaboration with non-profits and provincial governments not just creating new agencies.

For refugee families arriving from Gaza, affordable housing will also be a key challenge. Immigration and housing must go hand in hand to ensure safe resettlement.

Time Is Running Out

The Canada Immigration program for Gaza was launched with good intentions—but good intentions alone won’t bring people to safety. With only 860 out of 5,000 applicants brought in, and no clear path forward for the rest, the situation is dire. Real change will require swift policy updates, ground-level solutions, and above all, the political will to act. For families still waiting, the clock isn’t just ticking, it’s roaring.

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