July 2,2025
RED FM News Desk
As Canada’s climate continues to heat up more rapidly than the global average, the country is expected to experience increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events. This will lead to a greater risk of droughts and wildfires, posing serious threats to the health, safety, and economic well-being of individuals and communities throughout Canada. The Government of Canada remains dedicated to assisting those impacted nationwide.
Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a series of special measures to support individuals and communities affected by wildfires.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lost access to their passports, citizenship certificates, permanent resident cards, or other Canadian travel documents due to the wildfires can apply for free replacements. Those who have already paid to replace such documents due to wildfires (on or after April 1, 2025) are eligible to request a refund.
Temporary residents—including international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors—who were directly impacted by the wildfires can obtain replacement status documents and apply to extend or restore their status in Canada, or to renew their work or study permits, all free of charge. The usual 90-day deadline for restoring temporary resident status will be waived for those affected by the wildfires.
Furthermore, starting June 11, 2025, the government is waiving application and biometric fees for foreign emergency service personnel arriving in Canada to assist in wildfire response efforts.
These measures will remain in place until November 30, 2025, giving individuals time to recover, secure essential documents, and prioritize their safety and well-being.
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