Members of Saskatoon's Afghan community gathered in biting cold this past weekend, issuing a direct and urgent appeal to the federal government. They are demanding Ottawa accelerate immigration processes to reunite families still stranded overseas.
A Frigid Plea for Action
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, demonstrators assembled outside Saskatoon City Hall as temperatures plunged below –20 degrees Celsius. Among them was Setara Zahedi, who stood with fellow Afghans to highlight the human cost of bureaucratic delays. The protest underscored the community's growing desperation as loved ones remain in precarious situations, often in third countries, awaiting approval to come to Canada.
The core demand is for the government to streamline and expedite existing special immigration programs aimed at Afghans who assisted Canadian forces or are at risk due to the Taliban regime. Community leaders argue that current processing times are unacceptably slow, leaving families in limbo and facing ongoing danger.
The Human Impact of Processing Delays
While the government launched programs to resettle vulnerable Afghans, many applicants report a process mired in complexity and lengthy wait times. Families are separated, with some members safely in Canadian cities like Saskatoon while spouses, children, or parents are stuck abroad. This situation creates immense psychological and financial strain on those already settled in Canada, who live with constant worry for their relatives' safety.
Advocates stress that the approaching winter further exacerbates the urgency, as conditions in refugee camps or temporary housing can be life-threatening. The protest in Saskatoon, held in severe cold, was a symbolic act meant to mirror the hardships their families endure.
Community Calls for Clearer Communication
Beyond faster processing, the community is calling for more transparent and consistent communication from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Many applicants describe a black box, where applications are submitted with little to no updates for months or even years. This lack of clarity fuels anxiety and makes planning impossible.
The Saskatoon group joins a growing chorus of voices across Canada urging the federal government to fulfill its commitments. They argue that Canada has a moral duty to those who supported its mission in Afghanistan and to vulnerable families seeking refuge.
As the political debate on immigration continues, the scene outside Saskatoon City Hall serves as a stark reminder of the very real and human consequences of policy implementation. The community's message is clear: warmth, safety, and family reunification cannot wait.
