In recognition and appreciation of contribution made by the local staff who work for the Canadian Government's mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the Government of Canada will offer special measures to facilitate their immigration to Canada.
“There are Afghans who face extraordinary personal risk as a result of their work in support of Canada’s mission in Kandahar,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. “We commend their bravery to help build a better Afghanistan while recognizing the price that they have paid. Their lives and those of their families may be threatened by insurgents, and some have suffered serious injury and can no longer work. To recognize their contribution, we will offer them special consideration if they wish to relocate to Canada.”[Source]
To be eligible under this special program for Kandahar, Afghanistan Staff, the individual must provide evidence of:
Extraordinary and individualized risk as a result of employment and contracts in direct support of the Canadian government in Kandahar; OR A non-accidental or non-natural injury, resulting in risk to life or inability to work, due to employment and contracts in direct support of the Canadian government in Kandahar; OR Being the spouse of a local staff member who has suffered a non-accidental or non-natural death due to employment and contracts in direct support of the Canadian government in Kandahar. The accompanying dependent children of those who qualify would also be eligible.
Successful applicants will receive health-care coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program as well as resettlement services similar to what is currently offered to government-assisted refugees, including up to 12 months of income support upon arrival in Canada. Applicants may apply under this program until the end of the Canadian combat mission in Kandahar in 2011.
