Minister concerned about effect of motion on Gaza | Middle East, the eternal conflict

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The motion could have an effect on people waiting their turn , believes the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller. (Archive photo)

The Canadian Press

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the amended motion on the war between Israel and Hamas, passed by the House of Commons on Monday, could make it more difficult for people seeking refuge to leave Gaza. x27;asylum in Canada.

On Wednesday, he told reporters it could worsen the situation for a Canadian program aimed at providing asylum to extended family members of Canadians who are in the Gaza Strip. A program which has already been, according to him, a failure.

Only 14 people were able to leave. The motion could have consequences for others waiting, he said.

Passing this motion does not help get people out [of Gaza].

A quote from Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Immigration

Immigration Minister said he believed the motion was fair and principled after it was amended to reflect the 14 amendments proposed by the liberals.

Middle East, the eternal conflict

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Middle East, the eternal conflict

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The final motion eliminated a call to formally recognize the State of Palestine and instead saw MPs support progress towards a peace process and solution to two states in accordance with current Canadian policy.

Mr. Miller says, however, that the motion upset the Israeli government and will have consequences.

The Israeli Foreign Minister declared on Tuesday that the measures described in the motion, in particular the suspension of arms exports to Israel, would compromise his country's ability to defend itself, and that history would judge Canada harshly.

According to Mr. Miller, the Israeli government has made it clear that it is monitoring what Canada is doing.

Any action deemed unfavorable [by Israel] may affect their decision-making at the highest political level. We therefore cannot be naive as a country about the actions we take and the impact they can have on the ground and on people's lives.

A quote from Marc Miller , Federal Minister of Immigration

Moreover, the federal minister declared that he was not saying that the motion was a bad one thing to adopt, adding that it represented a position of principle as amended.

But the actions of the Government of Canada have consequences. And in terms of the particular impact of this program, I don't think this motion is necessarily a good thing, he clarified.