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The federal immigration department has come under fire following its recent decision to suspend new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), a vital pathway for family reunification. This pause means that thousands of Canadians and permanent residents will face extended waits—potentially spanning years—before they can bring their loved ones to Canada. As the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implements this change, concerns are mounting over its implications for families yearning to reunite.
Suspension of a Crucial Programme
On Wednesday, the IRCC announced that it would cease accepting expressions of interest for the PGP indefinitely. The department stated on its website that it would also halt invitations for potential sponsors to submit applications aimed at reuniting with their parents and grandparents. A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, Taous Ait, asserted that this decision is part of a broader initiative to restore balance across immigration programmes and ensure timely processing while maintaining public trust in Canada’s immigration system.
Ait explained that the decision to pause new intakes is based on assessments of the inventory of applications each year. She assured the public that the IRCC would continue processing up to 15,000 applications from individuals who have already applied this year, in line with the government’s Immigration Levels Plan.
Demand Outstripping Supply
The PGP has long been a sought-after avenue for permanent residency for foreign national family members. However, demand has consistently exceeded the available spots. In its recent Immigration Levels Plan covering 2026 to 2028, the government reduced the target for the PGP from 21,500 to 15,000 applicants per year.
Since the establishment of a new system in 2020, which allowed a pool of expressions of interest for sponsorship, interest has surged. More than 200,000 responses flooded in that year alone, yet many are left waiting with no clear resolution in sight. As of September 2025, around 54,000 expressions of interest from that initial pool remained unresolved, while the IRCC is currently processing approximately 60,500 applications under the PGP.
Criticism from Opposition and Advocates
The suspension has drawn sharp criticism from opposition members and immigration advocates alike. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan expressed her dismay, stating, “The government has shamefully once again suspended new intakes to the Parent/Grandparent sponsorship program.” She highlighted the emotional toll on families who have been “eagerly waiting” for the system to reopen, only to be met with further disappointment. Kwan emphasised that at the current pace, it could take decades to resolve the backlog.
The current application process requires Canadians to demonstrate a certain income level and commit to financially support their parents or grandparents during their stay. While those sponsored gain permanent residency, they are ineligible for government social assistance, although they can access healthcare services.
The Impact of Delays
Calgary immigration lawyer Yameena Ansari shed light on the dire consequences of these delays, noting that some applicants have died while waiting for their sponsorship applications to be processed. The periodic opening of application windows—from July to October in 2025—creates a rush among applicants, akin to a lottery system, but many remain disappointed when the window closes. Ansari suggested that the current framework might dissuade the government from allowing older immigrants into Canada due to concerns over potential strains on the healthcare system.
Many families currently resort to using super visas, which permit stays of up to five years. However, these visas require private funding for healthcare, adding another layer of complexity and financial burden for families wishing to reunite.
Why it Matters
The suspension of the Parents and Grandparents Program not only jeopardises family bonds but also raises critical questions about Canada’s immigration priorities and the treatment of vulnerable populations. As the government grapples with processing backlogs and public sentiment, it must reconsider its approach to family reunification. The emotional and economic implications of long waits for family members to join their loved ones cannot be overstated; without reform, the current system risks alienating the very communities that contribute to the rich tapestry of Canadian society.
