The federal immigration department’s recent decision to halt applications for the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP) has sparked outrage among families waiting for years to reunite with their loved ones. This move effectively pauses all new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents wishing to settle in Canada as permanent residents, leaving thousands in limbo.
Programme Suspension Announced
On Wednesday, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced via its website that it would no longer accept new formal expressions of interest for the PGP until further notice. Additionally, the department confirmed it would suspend invitations to potential sponsors to apply for their parents and grandparents to join them in Canada. A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, Taous Ait, stated that these measures are part of broader efforts aimed at balancing immigration programmes and ensuring timely processing, while also maintaining public trust in Canada’s immigration system.
Ait explained that decisions regarding the opening or pausing of new intakes are based on evaluations of the inventory of applications each year. However, she assured that IRCC would continue processing up to 15,000 applications this year in accordance with the government’s Immigration Levels Plan.
A Shift in Immigration Targets
The PGP has long served as a vital pathway for foreign nationals wishing to join their family members in Canada. Yet the demand for this programme has consistently surpassed the allocated spots available for permanent residency. In the recently published 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the government has reduced its target for new residents under the PGP to 15,000 annually, a decrease from the 21,500 available in the previous 2025-2027 plan.
Since 2020, IRCC has implemented a system for potential sponsors to express interest in bringing their parents and grandparents to Canada, resulting in over 200,000 responses in the initial year. However, concerns have been raised about the limited opportunities for families to reunite, with critics arguing that the process needs substantial reform.
Criticism from Advocates and Lawmakers
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan condemned the latest suspension, emphasising that the programme has remained effectively closed since 2020. She described the situation as a devastating blow to countless families eagerly awaiting the chance to reunite with their loved ones. “It is a slap in the face of families who have waited so long to reunite,” Kwan asserted, highlighting the emotional toll on families who have been left in uncertainty.
Kwan further warned that, at the current pace, it may take decades to resolve the backlog of sponsorship applications. She argued for the establishment of clear standards to ensure families are reunited in a timely manner.
The Reality of Long Waits
Calgary immigration lawyer Yameena Ansari weighed in on the situation, revealing that some individuals have tragically passed away while waiting for their applications to be processed. She noted the fierce competition when windows for applications briefly open, as they did from July to October in 2025.
“The system resembles a lottery, but with hundreds of thousands of people vying for the same limited opportunities,” Ansari explained. Many immigrant families resort to using super visas, which allow parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for five years, although they must privately cover healthcare costs during their stay.
Why it Matters
The suspension of the Parents and Grandparents Programme highlights a growing frustration among families yearning for reunification. As Canada grapples with balancing immigration targets and processing times, the emotional and social implications of these delays cannot be overlooked. For many, the ability to welcome parents and grandparents into their homes is not merely a matter of policy; it is a fundamental aspect of family life and wellbeing. The need for a more straightforward, compassionate immigration process has never been more urgent, as families continue to endure the pain of separation.
