I'm not sure if you have received a copy of the policy recommendations that I sent out. In that document, I've detailed how we can potentially bring these processes together.
First, I think we already have some really great programs, which just need to be expanded. That would mean that the small subset of recipients for the current special family reunification program would be broadened to include all Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have extended family at risk in Afghanistan. That very program that is already in existence could be widened for all Afghan Canadians.
We can also learn from the other program that is for Afghans who assisted the Canadian government. This program is a wider program and allows de facto dependants—and de facto is quite widely defined. In certain circumstances, particularly where there's established risk, aunties, uncles, nieces and nephews who are specifically at risk should be considered under the same extended family reunification program.
I do propose that, because we need to have a streamlined and fair approach, we consider using the risk factors that are already in use by the Canadian government, which are particular to the special humanitarian program. The five categories listed are women leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, persecuted religious and ethnic minorities, and LGBTI people, but also Afghans who assisted the Canadian government.
Like the rest of the programs for Afghanistan, we need to prioritize the processing of family reunification.
Thank you.