Family reunification in Quebec | A mother denounces “inhumane” delays

A former member of the Canadian Forces, Hélène Boissonneault devoted nearly 10 years of her life to serving her country. Today, this woman is fighting on another front: to bring her Cuban husband to Quebec before the birth of their daughter, expected in April.

“We separate families for fun,” she said. There are no real issues in preventing families from reuniting. It’s more inhumane than anything else. »

M^me Boissonneault entered the Canadian Forces at the age of 24. For nearly a decade, she lived away from her loved ones, moving frequently across the country.

When she left the army in July 2020 to return to Quebec, she hoped to find “family stability”. But the Quebec immigration system has transformed into a new obstacle, compromising his dream of a reunited family life.

“Today, I realize that if I had stayed in Ottawa, my husband would already be here,” she laments.

Administrative delays

It was during a trip to Cuba, in April 2022, that this 36-year-old woman, single mother of three children, met Carlos Henry Hidalgo Pérez, a 34-year-old industrial engineer.

After a few trips to reconnect, they married in March 2023. But their happiness was quickly overshadowed by Quebec’s bureaucratic apparatus: in the family reunification category, processing times for permanent residence applications amount to 36 months, compared to 10 months in other Canadian provinces.

“This choice to return to Quebec, which was supposed to be a return to serenity, has become a source of deep regret,” she explains.

Pregnant with her fourth child, Hélène Boissonneault juggles her professional and family responsibilities, while facing financial challenges.

Since her marriage, she estimates she has spent more than $10,000 on visitor visa applications, permanent residency fees, travel for biometrics exams in Havana, and more.

During this time, the ex-soldier worked in administration at the Trois-Rivières CEGEP, while taking care of his three boys, aged 6, 7 and 9.

His situation is not unique. More than 40,000 Quebec families are affected by long processing times attributable to the Legault government’s strict quotas.

In 2025, Quebec’s immigration plan provides for the admission of only 11,000 people in the family reunification category, out of a total of 51,000 permanent immigrants.

“We are the only ones in Canada to experience such long delays,” deplores M.^me Boissonneault. Elsewhere, families are reunited in less than a year. Here it takes three years. »

“That doesn’t make sense!” »

Her husband’s Quebec selection certificate (CSQ), proof that the province is ready to welcome him, is not enough to speed up the process.

Hélène Boissonneault does not hide her frustration with this imposed separation. “Our future daughter’s father might be here right when she turns 4.” That doesn’t make sense! »

She points out that if her husband could obtain a simple visitor visa, it would not cost the government anything, since she would cover all the costs herself.

In addition to the administrative challenges, Hélène Boissonneault denounces the psychological impact of this separation. “It’s heavy, very heavy. I was strong for a long time, but now I’m tired. »

She is convinced that it is time to review the family reunification process in Quebec. “People travel, meet partners abroad. We must adapt our laws to this reality. It is inhumane to separate families like this. »

By making her story public, this mother hopes to draw attention to this situation, not only for her, but for the thousands of couples and parents who are experiencing the same nightmare. “I don’t think it will change my situation, but if it can make the process more humane for others in the future, then it will be worth it.” »