Sure. I don't know if there's time, but I would love to give a couple of examples.
I would like to give two representative examples of families who could be helped if Canada introduces an expanded special family reunification program specific to the Afghan crisis. At the outset, I note that I use these examples with the permission of the Canadian-based family members of both families and I'll refrain from using names of people or organizations, which could identify these families.
The Canadian-based family member of family A is an absolute delight. She's a social butterfly with a bubbly personality and a beautiful heart. She is beloved by all. She works two jobs and in addition to her own family, provides financial support to multiple families in Afghanistan. When she was living in Afghanistan, the Canadian-based member of family A held a senior role supporting literary programs throughout the country. She undertook this at great personal risk and in time was forced to flee for her life. Because she is a high-profile female, her family faces deferred risk of Taliban reprisals. They are also at risk due to their own activities. Indeed, this is a family of prominent women's rights activists and human rights defenders. The sisters in particular face extreme risk. The younger sister has had her activism televised nationally.
Since taking over in August, the Taliban have forcibly entered and searched the family's home. Mercifully, the family narrowly escaped through a window. Around the same time, the Taliban issued the entire family with an order of execution. The family are now in hiding. Believing that they would increase their risk of capture if they remain together, they have separated in the hope that at least half of them will survive. All face extreme and immediate risk of execution if captured.
With family B, the Canadian-based member of family B is a really great guy. At first he may come across as rather serious and formal, and he certainly is a structured thinker who ponders matters deeply, but he also has a brilliant dry sense of humour and he's well respected in the community. He is a senior professional who works a second job so that he can provide for his Afghan-based family. My husband and I really enjoy spending time with him.
The Canadian-based member of family B was engaged in economic development when he was in Afghanistan, but fled to Canada when his work made him a target of Taliban reprisals. He is now a responsible Canadian citizen. His Afghan-based family are passionate about nation building, community development and the defence of human rights. The father served for almost two decades as a leader in the community and a high-profile social activist who even co-founded a non-profit organization. Tragically, the father was murdered by the Taliban in 2020.
The female-headed household remaining in Afghanistan comprises the mother and three adult siblings. The three siblings, who have all served in the non-profit organization, are well-known women's rights activists and human rights defenders. In response, the Taliban have issued a letter to the non-profit that condemns all workers to death. Moreover, the daughter, who has additional vulnerabilities, is now facing an imminent forced marriage by an influential family who have the support of the Taliban. Her brothers have been threatened with death if they don't hand the sister over to a marriage that is against her wishes. Because of the multiple and immediate threats to their lives, the two brothers are now in hiding and living separate from their mother and sister, who are housebound. Their situation remains extremely precarious.