Historically a land of welcome, Canada has built its national identity on a dynamic and open migration policy.
The Canadian government has once again temporarily slowed down this welcoming dynamic by suspending new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents wishing to obtain permanent residence.
This decision, made official by a ministerial directive from Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, responds to a situation that has become critical: more than 40,000 files are accumulating in the immigration services, with processing times reaching 24 months on average. .
The measure aims to unclog a system overwhelmed by its own success. For 2024, the authorities will focus on processing 15,000 applications already submitted, while 35,700 pre-selected candidates will be able to submit their application, with an acceptance target set at 20,500 new permanent residences.
Remember that this measure comes after the suspension of applications for permanent residence, particularly in Quebec.
In Canada, this reform disrupts family plans
This suspension disrupts the plans of many Canadian families who hoped to bring their elders.
The other aspects of family reunification, in particular the sponsorship of spouses, partners and dependent children, however, remain accessible.
The Department of Immigration justifies its decision by the need to ensure fair processing of existing files and to preserve the integrity of the immigration system in Canada.
This reorganization also reflects an evolution of Canadian migration policy, which provides for an overall reduction in admissions over the next three years.
The government decision provokes contrasting reactions within Canadian society. While some understand the need to restructure the system to make it more efficient, others see it as a break with the country’s welcoming tradition.
Immigrant associations emphasize the importance of intergenerational links in the success of integration and fear that this suspension will weaken the social fabric of immigrant communities.
The Government of Canada nevertheless maintains its commitment to the principle of family reunification, presenting this suspension as a necessary step to sustainably strengthen the country’s reception capacity.
