New pilot for family members previously excluded from Canada will ‘right that wrong,’ immigration minister says

CIC News
Published: May 31, 2019

Sponsorship applications for some family members who were previously banned from obtaining permanent residence under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations will be allowed under a new two-year pilot, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, has announced. 

The pilot concerns non-accompanying family members who were not examined by immigration authorities when the sponsor applied for Canadian permanent residence.

These family members have been ineligible for a Family Class sponsorship under Section 117(9)(d) of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

This lifetime ban has long been a source of controversy, with the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) calling it "a significant barrier" to family reunification in Canada.

In a brief on the issue, the CCR said that 117(9)(d) "has a disproportionately negative effect on refugees and vulnerable migrants who fail to disclose a family member."

Hussen said the federal government recognizes that the regulation was unfair.

"Newcomers who failed to declare immediate family members as they first came to Canada were barred to sponsor them. Today, we right that wrong," he said.

IRCC defined sponsors covered by the pilot as resettled refugees, those conferred refugee protection in Canada or those who were themselves sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependent child.

The pilot will run from September 9, 2019, to September 9, 2021 and IRCC said applications that are already in process will benefit.

New measures for vulnerable workers and family members

Starting June 4, IRCC will allow migrant workers with an employer-specific work permit who are in an abusive job situation to apply for an open work permit.

"This will allow migrant workers to leave that employer immediately, maintain their status and find another job," IRCC said.

IRCC will also introduce changes that will allow newcomers experiencing family violence to apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit starting July 26.

The permit will give these individuals legal status in Canada and provide them with a work permit and health care coverage.

IRCC will also expedite applications for permanent residence filed on humanitarian and compassionate grounds from those "in urgent situations of family violence."

"No worker should fear losing their job when they are being mistreated in their place of work. No partner should be more fearful of losing their immigration status instead of escaping abuse," Hussen said.

"Today we say, fear no more."

© 2019 CICNews All Rights Reserved

 

 

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
The five most important things to know about renting in Canada
A picture of the Toronto skyline
Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec invite candidates to apply for provincial immigration
Beach on Haida Gwaii
Saskatchewan introduces two new PNP pathways for skilled newcomers
Bridge over river in Saskatoon
Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba invite candidates to apply for provincial nomination
Fraser River in British Columbia
Top Stories
ANALYSIS: How this year’s Immigration Levels Plan affects the chances of success for Express Entry candidates
November 2024: State of the Express Entry pool
British Columbia and PEI invite candidates in latest round of provincial nominations
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Provinces
British Columbia and PEI invite candidates in latest round of provincial nominations
Lighthouse in PEI
Quebec announces its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025
A street in Quebec with stone buildings on either side.
Quebec pauses two major permanent resident pathways
Quebec City in the fall
British Columbia, Manitoba, PEI, and Quebec issue invitations to apply
Four provinces have issued nominations to candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence
Link copied to clipboard