‘You have to survive. Stay safe. I'm doing what I can.’ Canadians describe nightmare race to get loved ones out of Gaza

Guests: Maryam Affana, Mirvat Al-Sharafi and immigration lawyer Aidan Simardone  Last month, Canada launched a new emergency program permitting up to 1,000 Palestinians who are extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to apply to come to Canada. Members of the Palestinian-Canadian community say they are struggling with delays, logistical issues and what some experts say is an unprecedented and invasive level of personal information requirements. They wait with the clock ticking for their trapped loved ones in a four-month war that has ravaged Gaza, with more than 27,000 people killed in Israeli airstrikes, thousands more displaced and almost half the population at risk of starvation according to the United Nations. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says that the multi-stage screening approach was developed to protect the safety of Canadians and is part of a standard practice where IRCC doesn't have presence on ground to conduct the initial screening and biometrics. In an emailed response to the Star, it has also shared that as of January 29, more than 900 applications are already being reviewed. IRCC confirmed they’re all still in the preliminary stages and not approved. We speak to Palestinian-Canadians impacted by this and later, an immigration lawyer helps us break down the new immigration measures and their implications.  This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques, with additional support from Ben Cohen.  What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.