OTTAWA, ON, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Canada continues to face the growing impacts of climate change, with extreme weather conditions becoming more frequent and severe. Communities across the country have responded to these challenges with resilience and strength, and the Government of Canada remains committed to supporting those affected.

Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced new special measures to support people and communities across Canada who may be directly affected by domestic natural disasters.

Under these measures, you will find the following:

• Temporary residents, including international students, temporary foreign workers and other visitors, who are directly affected by a domestic natural disaster can replace their status documents. They can also apply to restore or extend their status in Canada, or renew their work or study permit, even if they are beyond the standard 90­day restoration period.
• Foreign emergency services personnel from visa-required countries travelling to Canada to help respond to a natural disaster will be exempt from standard application or biometric collection fees, helping them arrive more quickly to support response efforts.

These measures will be in place for approximately three years, from April 1, 2026, until November 30, 2028.

IRCC's website provides more information about who is eligible, how to apply and other important details.

Quotes:

"As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, our government remains committed to supporting affected communities. These measures will provide greater flexibility for those impacted and help foreign emergency personnel enter Canada more quickly when they are needed most."

– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship      

"When disasters hit, communities need help quickly. That means emergency responders must be able to get where they are needed without unnecessary delays, and those affected must be able to access support in a timely way. These measures will help strengthen Canada's emergency management system by better supporting communities through the disruption, response and recovery that follow a disaster."

- The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada

Quick facts:

• Temporary residents applying to extend their status continue to benefit from maintained status and will be able to work while their application is being processed.
• In 2025, approximately 1,595 foreign emergency services personnel came to Canada to help fight wildfires. This total includes foreign emergency services personnel travelling on electronic travel authorizations and temporary resident visas.

Associated links:

• An Emergency Management Framework for Canada – Third Edition
• Wildfires
• Weather, climate and hazards

SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada