In the year since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Canada’s efforts to resettle refugees have lagged behind targets.

In fact, government figures show Canada has welcomed more than four times as many Ukrainians as Afghans over the past year.

NDP Immigration critic Jenny Kwan says there’s a stark difference between the federal government’s treatment of Afghan refugees and those fleeing Ukraine. And she points out both sets of refugees need Canada’s help.

Just over 17,000 Afghans have been resettled under government programs meant to help people who worked with the Canadian Forces including interpreters.

A spokesperson for Immigration minister Sean Fraser says Canada remains committed to bringing 40-thousand Afghans here.

Meantime, at Queen’s Park yesterday, former Afghan MPs, journalists and judges gathered to protest the Taliban regime and the diminishment of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

Since last August, schools and universities have been closed to girls older than 11 in Afghanistan and women are losing their jobs without explanation.