The federal immigration department’s recent decision to suspend new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has sparked significant concern among Canadians eager to reunite with their families. This pause, which affects thousands of families waiting for years to bring their loved ones to Canada as permanent residents, raises questions about the government’s commitment to family reunification.
Suspension of Applications Raises Eyebrows
On Wednesday, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would be halting any new expressions of interest for individuals wishing to sponsor their parents and grandparents. This decision leaves many in limbo, as the department cited the need to manage application inventories and ensure timely processing. Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, stated that these actions are part of broader efforts to “restore balance across immigration programmes” while maintaining public confidence in the system.
The IRCC will continue to process approximately 15,000 applications already in the pipeline, adhering to its Immigration Levels Plan. However, the suspension has left many feeling disheartened.
A Shift in Immigration Targets
The PGP has long been a vital avenue for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to the country. However, demand has consistently exceeded the available slots. The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan revealed a significant reduction in the target for the PGP, dropping from 21,500 to just 15,000 new permanent residents annually.
Since 2020, the IRCC has employed a lottery-like system, inviting applicants from a pool of expressions of interest. In the initial year, over 200,000 individuals expressed their desires to sponsor family members. Yet, as of September 2025, more than 54,000 expressions from that initial pool remained unaddressed. As a result, families continue to face extensive wait times, fuelling frustration among those affected.
Criticism from Opposition and Legal Experts
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan has been vocal about the implications of this suspension, arguing that it undermines the principle of family reunification. In her statement, Kwan remarked, “The government has shamefully once again suspended new intakes to the Parent/Grandparent sponsorship program,” lamenting the emotional toll on families who have long awaited to bring their loved ones to Canada.
Calgary immigration lawyer Yameena Ansari echoed these sentiments, highlighting the tragic reality that some applicants have passed away while waiting for their sponsorship applications to be processed. She described the current system as chaotic, likening it to a lottery with limited opportunities for families to unite. Ansari argued for a re-evaluation of the programme, suggesting that the government appears reluctant to facilitate the entry of older relatives due to potential strain on the healthcare system.
Current Alternatives and Their Limitations
In the absence of the PGP, many families have turned to super visas, which allow parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years. However, these visas come with a significant drawback: applicants must cover their own healthcare costs, which can be prohibitively expensive. This situation further complicates the already difficult dynamics of family reunification, as many families are left scrambling for solutions.
Why it Matters
The suspension of the Parents and Grandparents Program has far-reaching implications, not only for the families affected but also for Canada’s immigration landscape as a whole. With public sentiment increasingly leaning towards the importance of family unity, the government’s failure to adequately address these concerns could erode trust in its immigration system. As the backlog grows and wait times extend indefinitely, the emotional and psychological toll on families becomes increasingly apparent. The need for reform in immigration policy is not just a matter of logistics; it is a question of compassion and the fundamental human right to family life.
