Manitoba willing to take in refugees from ‘dire humanitarian situation’ in Gaza, Kinew tells PM in letter

By: Free Press staff Posted: 2:26 PM CST Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

Manitoba’s premier has penned a letter to Canada’s prime minister over his concerns about the “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza for children and civilians amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, telling the federal leader the country should take in refugees.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/12/2023 (693 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In Premier Wab Kinew’s Friday letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he said the provincial New Democratic government was “pleased to see” Canada vote in favour of a non-binding United Nations resolution on Tuesday that called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the war that is now in its third month.

“However, there is still more work to be done,” Kinew said in the letter. “Canada should bring refugees in from the region. Manitoba is willing to take in those seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict in Gaza and provide them with the sanctuary’s and support they require.”

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Premier Wab Kinew said the Manitoba government supports the federal government’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid. — MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Premier Wab Kinew said the Manitoba government supports the federal government’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid.

Kinew said the Manitoba government supports the federal government’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid, adding that giving refuge would be a measure to provide that help.

The premier wrote that any refugee program should happen in a way that would allow the refugees to return home in the future.

“Our goal is not to facilitate further displacement of people, but rather to respond to the current humanitarian crisis with compassion and to help those whose lives are at risk from war and starvation,” Kinew said.

The war began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, including many civilians, and taking an estimated 250 others hostage.

The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates more than 18,000 Palestinians have since died as a result of the conflict, while 1.9 million people have been displaced.