Turkish and Syrian immigrants protest as Canada ends temporary work‑permit program
The Canadian government’s temporary humanitarian immigration measure (TS2023), introduced after the February 2023 7.8‑magnitude earthquake on the Turkey‑Syria border, granted three‑year open work permits to Turkish and Syrian nationals affected by the disaster. The program was later expanded to those already in Canada on valid temporary permits, but it is now ending, leaving many permits set to expire in the coming months.
Community groups estimate that more than 9,000 permits were issued. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said it needs at least ten days to compile exact figures. In response, 47‑year‑old Sefika Ozlem Yaman Sahin and her 12‑year‑old son began a 500‑kilometre march from Toronto to Ottawa on July 19, seeking a two‑year extension to avoid forced departure and to give families time to complete permanent‑residency applications. The walk is expected to conclude next weekend.
Entities
Government of Canada · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · Sefika Ozlem Yaman Sahin · TS2023 program · Turkey‑Syria earthquake (Feb 2023)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Community estimates suggest more than 9,000 permits were issued under TS2023. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Canadian government announced the temporary humanitarian immigration measure TS2023 after the February 2023 Turkey‑Syria earthquake, providing three‑year open work permits to affected Turkish and chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sefika Ozlem Yaman Sahin, 47, and her 12‑year‑old son began a 500‑kilometre march from Toronto to Ottawa on July 19 to demand an extension of the work‑permit program. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The TS2023 program is ending, and many work permits are set to expire in a few months. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said it would need at least ten days to compile data on the number of permits issued. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] TS2023 was later expanded to Turkish and Syrian nationals already in Canada on valid temporary permits. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The march is expected to end next weekend. www.narcity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The February 2023 earthquake on the Turkey‑Syria border measured 7.8 magnitude and caused tens of thousands of deaths. chatnewstoday.ca · lethbridgenewsnow.com · www.narcity.com