They risked their lives to help the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.
Now, the Afghan interpreters who immigrated to Canada say Ottawa should also be doing something to help their family members, who are still under attack in their war-ravaged country.
Sayed Sharifi is among the few interpreters who managed to start a new life in Canada. He now lives with three roommates in Toronto, but says he constantly fears for his family members back home.
鈥淟ast year, the Taliban attacked my family, the vehicle of my brother, and killed five members of my family," he told 麻豆影视.
Sharifi and other combat interpreters became targets once Canada started wrapping up its military mission in Afghanistan. Branded by the Taliban as traitors, the interpreters were left unprotected and had to flee their homeland.
Under intense public pressure, the federal government ultimately allowed some of them to immigrate. But critics say that Ottawa鈥檚 Afghan visa program isn鈥檛 broad enough and should include interpreters鈥� family members who are at risk.
鈥淚f they have older children, siblings or parents that are under threat, then consideration should be given to allow them to immigrate to Canada as well," said Jack Harris, NDP鈥檚 defence critic.
So far, the family members have not been considered for immigration, leaving Sharifi and his roommates, who all work multiple jobs, with regrets.
Sharifi now says he wishes he鈥檇 never worked with the Canadian Forces.
鈥淏ecause if I didn鈥檛 work with them, I wouldn鈥檛 face any problems,鈥� he said.
Sharifi said the Taliban have said they will never stop trying to attack him or his family members.
His roommate Hasham Mohammad, who also worked for the Canadian military, said it鈥檚 very difficult to be separated from family.
鈥淲e have left everything back home,鈥� he said.
With a report from CTV鈥檚 Peter Akman
