The number of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and family members evacuated from Gaza rose to 453 November 12 when 237 crossed into Egypt. They joined 107 last week, according to Global Affairs, which also said nine others crossed with the help of an undisclosed third party. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. said today that Israel has begun daily four-hour pauses in fighting in northern Gaza to allow residents to flee. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said each pause would be announced at least three hours in advance. “We’ve been told […] there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today,” he said. [node:read-more:link]
Between 20 and 25 Canadian managed to leave war-torn Gaza today, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed. Global Affairs Canada said “up to 80 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members” were expected to be evacuated today. [node:read-more:link]
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families who had hoped to leave Gaza on the weekend were unable to do so after the only border crossing into Egypt was closed again. Global Affairs Canada November 5 that it had no information about when the crossing would be reopened. [node:read-more:link]
Despite Israel’s refusal, the heads of 18 UN agencies and non-profit organizations called November 5 for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war which has killed thousands of civilians. Expressing “shock and horror”, they said in a joint statement that “enough is enough” in the month-long siege of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ brutal attack in northern Israel. [node:read-more:link]
Global Affairs Canada expects the exodus of foreign nationals to Egypt from war-torn Gaza to continue in the coming days even as stranded Canadians were warned that their safety could not be guaranteed if they opt not to leave. “Canada has one of the largest contingents of nationals in Gaza,” GAC said November 1. “We expect further crossings daily.” [node:read-more:link]
The judge in the Ottawa criminal trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, key organizers of the February 2022 “Freedom Convoy” trucker protests, has ordered the Crown to disclose police documents to the defence. Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said October 31 that it was “very unusual” for two officers who were expected to be witnesses to have lost potential evidence. [node:read-more:link]
Humanitarian assistance to Gaza remains hobbled by Israeli restrictions, but the U.S. says Israel should lift its ban on hospitals’ generator fuel supplies. Three days of limited aid convoys have seen only 54 truckloads of emergency materials enter from Egypt but no fuels out of concern that it would be seized by Hamas militants. [node:read-more:link]
The Crown has stayed a criminal charge against “Freedom Convoy” organizer Tamara Lich for allegedly violating bail conditions last summer. Lich and co-accused Chris Barber face mischief and other charges; in dropping the one charge, the prosecution says it hoped to proceed on key issues when the trial resumes October 26. [node:read-more:link]
A private charter out of Haifa today carried the first Canadian evacuees to Cyprus as Israel intensified its war against Palestinian extremists. As other Canadian citizens and permanent residents awaited evacuation by the RCAF, possibly beginning October 13, two more private charters were being arranged. [node:read-more:link]
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen’s office says Canada will continue delivering humanitarian and development aid to Palestinians while preventing any diversion to Hamas militants. The $55 million a year that Canada spends on development and humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza goes through what the office described as “experienced and trusted Canadian and international partners.” [node:read-more:link]
The RCAF will begin repatriating Canadians from Israel “in the coming days,” Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie said October 10. Flights will be offered to citizens and permanent residents as well as spouses and children and she said the government also working on options for those unable to get to Tel Aviv airport. [node:read-more:link]
Draft disaster management legislation has been introduced by B.C.s New Democratic Party government on the first day of the fall legislative session. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma expects it to result in modernized management approach and take “climate risk” into account. [node:read-more:link]
As the trial in Ottawa of two key organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” protest enters another week, prosecutors, defence council and the presiding Ontario Superior Court judge are wrestling with fundamental questions about an unprecedented mountain of potential digital evidence. [node:read-more:link]
With Canada’s housing crisis expected to be a top issue when Parliament resumed today, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said on the weekend that it will take years to resolve. “It will take all of us […] working together in common cause,” she said. [node:read-more:link]
