Maple News reports that Canada is facing mounting pressure to act decisively in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan—particularly for those who are now at risk under Taliban rule. Following the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban’s swift resurgence, thousands of Afghans fear for their safety, especially those who supported Canadian troops, diplomats, NGOs, and allied missions over the last two decades.
The United Nations estimated nearly 5 million Afghan refugees and displaced persons even before 2001. With Afghanistan’s population having doubled to around 40 million today, the need for swift intervention is urgent. Canada has historically taken a leadership role in times of crisis—from Hungarians in the 1950s, to Vietnamese in the 1970s, and Syrians in the 2010s. Now, the call is clear: extend the same leadership to Afghans facing imminent peril.
The current Afghan resettlement plan aims to welcome 20,000 individuals. While a promising start, experts argue that Canada must go further. Setting a firm, accelerated deadline is essential. Unlike previous efforts that spanned decades, the urgency now demands months. Past initiatives—especially the successful resettlement of 25,000 Syrian refugees in just 100 days—have demonstrated that Canada can mobilize rapidly when political will and public support align.
In addition to speeding up timelines, experts urge an expansion of the target. If Canada matched its Syrian efforts proportionally to Afghanistan’s larger population, it would mean welcoming approximately 80,000 Afghan refugees. This may seem ambitious, but the risks facing women, LGBTQ+ individuals, journalists, and human rights defenders are grave. Many of these vulnerable people were directly supported by Canadian efforts during the NATO-led mission. Moral and strategic responsibility now demands protection in return.
Private sponsorship remains a unique strength of Canada’s immigration system, with over 400,000 individuals resettled through this program since it began in 1978. However, applicants often face delays exceeding three years due to visa processing bottlenecks. Maple News emphasizes that Canada’s government must act to streamline processing—especially now, as public willingness to help is strong, but the window for action is rapidly closing.
Canada has already taken the lead among its allies with its initial commitments, but the scale of the Afghan crisis—compounded by global pandemic challenges—requires more. A new government, following the September election, should be prepared to act boldly. The crisis in Afghanistan is unfolding now. Canada’s response must do the same.