THUNDER BAY — Patty Hajdu wasn't there, but that didn't stop Afghan families and supporters from staging a demonstration Monday outside the constituency office of the MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
They're worried for their family members and friends back home or in temporary shelter in other countries, saying the Taliban regime continues to seek out Afghans who assisted Canada during this country's participation in the NATO mission that began in 2001.
A spokesperson for the approximately 10 protesters said the people who remain behind are frightened of the Taliban, and that their predicament is only getting worse.
"Their lives are really in danger," he said, citing a recent incident in which an individual seeking admission to Canada was executed.
The spokesperson asked that his identity be withheld by reporters who covered the demonstration, for fear of reprisals against his family.
"The Taliban are tracking people who worked with Canadians, their family members who worked with Canadians, with the Afghanistan government, with the NATO force...so we're concerned," he said.
"We came here to express our concern to [Hajdu] to take our message to the Canadian government to work on their cases to bring them here for a safe landing...especially if they worked with the Canadians and have papers in hand."
A staff member from Hajdu's office observed the protest and took notes.
Monday was World Refugee Day.
Hajdu issued a statement following the demonstration, saying the government continues to work to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals, "bringing as many vulnerable Afghans as possible to safety in Canada as quickly as possible."
To date, over 15,000 Afghans have been resettled here, including some in Thunder Bay.
Hajdu said her office will work with individual constituents on their cases, and provide support for families looking to reunite with their loved ones.
Referring to those who went to her office to advocate for their relatives and friends, she added "I appreciate the courage and strength it took to share their heartbreaking stories."
