Manitoba Welcomes Gaza Child for Medical Treatment, Calls for Nationwide Support

CA
Published:

Manitoba has welcomed an 11-year-old child from the Gaza Strip seeking medical assistance, a move supported by the provincial government amid ongoing conflict in the region. The boy, who traveled with his mother, arrived in Winnipeg on January 16, 2025, and was greeted at the airport by Premier Wab Kinew.

Premier Kinew remarked on the province's commitment to helping those in need, stating, "We have always been a people who stand up during times of conflict and famine and natural disaster to help the innocent." The child's identity and specific medical condition remain undisclosed due to privacy concerns; however, Kinew noted that he suffers from a genetic condition requiring treatment unavailable locally.

Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, highlighted this initiative as the first instance of a provincial government taking strong action to assist children from Gaza needing medical care. Miller emphasized the importance of leadership in mobilizing resources, as previous efforts had typically relied on private sponsorship or hospital involvement.

In response to this initiative, not-for-profit organizations in Manitoba are preparing to provide housing and support for the boy and his mother, alongside offerings from the Manitoba Islamic Association and other groups.

This situation emerges against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties and injuries, particularly among children. Since the war's escalation in October 2023, children from Gaza have sought medical assistance in various regions, including Qatar and parts of Europe.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Canada

Hitman Sentenced to Life for Murder of Sikh Businessman Ripudaman Malik

Tanner Fox, the hitman responsible for the 2022 murder of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik, received a life sentence in Canada, according to a ruling by the British Columbia Supreme Court. Fox, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October, was sentenced without the possibility of parole for 20 years. Malik was shot multiple times in his car outside his family's business in Surrey. During the sentencing, Malik’s family urged Fox to disclose the identities of those who hired him. "We plead with you to reveal the names of the people who hired you," stated Sundeep Kaur Dhaliwal, Malik’s daughter-in-law, in court. Malik had previously been acquitted in relation to the 1985 Air India bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 329 individuals, making it one of Canada's deadliest terrorist incidents. Fox’s sentencing comes amid continuing investigations into Malik's murder and the wider implications of organized crime within the Sikh community in Canada.
CA

Ongoing Struggles for Indigenous Land Rights in Canada

For over 150 years, Canada’s First Nations have been fighting for their land rights, yet progress remains elusive. Ron Lameman, president of the International Indian Treaty Council and a member of the Cree Nation, describes the current situation as a "total assault" by the Canadian government on Indigenous rights, threatening the historical agreements made with the British Crown. Lameman emphasizes that traditional territories are vital for cultural and subsistence practices, asserting, "Our land defines who we are." Despite recognition from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Aboriginal Title, government officials continue to undermine these rights. Sharon Venne, a Cree Nation lawyer, insists that economic self-determination is crucial for overcoming poverty among Indigenous communities. "Our wealth from land rights can build a future for generations," Venne stated. The government's attempts to negotiate financial settlements for land rights have split opinions within Indigenous groups, with some rejecting payments in favor of retaining their rights. The struggle for recognition and justice, fueled by decades of marginalization, shows no signs of resolution.
CA

Rising Sea Levels Threaten British Columbia's Waterfront Properties

Experts warn that rising sea levels due to climate change could lead to significant declines in property values for waterfront homes in British Columbia, Canada. According to Climate Central's Coastal Risk Screening Tool, many coastal areas, including Vancouver and Richmond, could be submerged with a one-meter rise in sea levels, while a half-meter rise might occur as early as 2050, as reported by BCBusiness. John Clague, an earth sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, described the situation as "a potential disaster in slow motion." He highlighted the urgent need for measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, stating that without immediate action, the consequences will worsen. A 2023 report by the B.C. Financial Services Authority noted the increasing risks from natural hazards related to climate change, which threaten the financial stability of the real estate market. The report emphasized the importance of the financial services sector in providing guidance to consumers on how to protect their properties from these looming ecological threats.
CA
All Canada News ->