Skip Links Back COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Initiative to support evacuations from Afghanistan As news of the Taliban’s advance across Afghanistan filled the international news, many Canadians were alarmed by the stories of fear and desperation. Firm members asked how they could help. “Before the fall of Kabul, BLG launched a national pro bono project in partnership with a Toronto-based human rights and immigration law firm, Landings LLP,” said Hugh Meighen, a Toronto BLG partner who is leading the project. Its purpose: to use Landings’ referral network and refugee expertise together with BLG’s national resources to rapidly identify, prepare, and assemble applications for vulnerable Afghans, and particularly those that assisted the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, seeking evacuation under the government’s special immigration measures. BLG was able to scale up this national pro bono effort rapidly with the help of lawyers and students in each of the Firm’s offices. “When Kabul fell, BLG lawyers continued their efforts to prepare and submit applications for individuals in dire need of evacuation,” continued Hugh. Lawyers, articling students and assistants across the country are continuing to assist Afghans in Kabul facing difficult circumstances. “We expanded our efforts in response to the growing emergency to collaborate with international firms and allies in the United States, Britain and around the world,” said Hugh. With the window for immediate evacuation by Canada now closed, BLG intends to continue assisting those it can continue to reach to help them find ways to safety and ultimately resettlement in peace. The national pro bono effort is ongoing for all individuals BLG has already assisted, but BLG is not currently conducting further consultations. For inquiries about refugee resettlement, please see the following links: Afghans who worked for Canada can read more about current programs Additional information on the requirements for refugee resettlement in Canada This website uses cookies We use cookies on our website. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our site and how to change your cookie settings, please view our cookie policy. By continuing to use this site without changing your settings, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. Accept Accessibility CASL Legal Privacy © 2021 Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ("BLG"). All rights reserved.