The federal immigration ministry has come under fire after it announced the suspension of a vital programme allowing Canadians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. With this abrupt halt, thousands of families are left in a state of uncertainty, having already endured lengthy waits to reunite with their loved ones.
Suspension of Sponsorship Applications
On Wednesday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed that it would cease accepting new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP) until further notice. This decision, which aligns with efforts to manage the immigration backlog, has sparked outrage among families who have been anticipating the opportunity to bring their relatives to Canada.
Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, stated that the move is part of broader initiatives aimed at restoring balance within immigration programmes and ensuring timely processing of applications. “We are committed to maintaining public confidence in Canada’s immigration system,” she noted, adding that decisions regarding the opening or pausing of new applications are based on annual assessments of the inventory of applications.
Despite the pause, Ait confirmed that the department will continue to process around 15,000 applications from individuals who have already submitted their requests this year, in accordance with the government’s Immigration Levels Plan.
The Growing Backlog
The PGP has long been a pathway for foreign nationals to gain permanent residency in Canada, yet demand has far exceeded the available spots. The government’s recent Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028 has set a target of just 15,000 new permanent residents under this programme each year, significantly down from the previous target of 21,500 for 2025.
In a system that has been likened to a lottery, the IRCC established a pool for expressions of interest in 2020, receiving over 200,000 submissions. However, many families are disheartened, as the current system lacks transparency and appears to favour a select few. As of September 2025, a briefing note indicated that approximately 54,000 expressions of interest from the 2020 pool remain unaddressed.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan has been vocal in her condemnation of the government’s actions. “The suspension of new intakes to the Parent/Grandparent sponsorship programme is a shocking blow to families who have already waited far too long,” she asserted. Kwan warned that, at the current rate, it could take decades to clear the backlog, leaving many families unable to reunite.
The Human Cost of Delays
While the PGP allows for family reunification, it imposes strict income requirements on sponsors, who must demonstrate their ability to financially support their parents or grandparents. Sponsored individuals are granted permanent residency but are ineligible for government social assistance, although they can access healthcare services.
Calgary immigration lawyer Yameena Ansari highlighted the dire consequences of these delays, recounting instances where individuals have passed away while awaiting approval to join their families in Canada. She expressed concern over the lottery-like nature of the application process, which currently prioritises a small pool of applicants. “The government appears reluctant to welcome older immigrants, perhaps out of concern for the healthcare system,” Ansari suggested.
Many families have resorted to using super visas, which allow for temporary stays of up to five years. However, these come with the burden of private healthcare costs, further complicating the reunification process.
A Call for Change
The current state of the PGP raises questions about the government’s commitment to family reunification. Critics argue that a comprehensive reassessment of the programme is urgently needed to ensure that families can reunite in a timely manner. Kwan emphasised that the government must establish clear standards and processes to facilitate family reunifications, ensuring that no family is left in limbo for years on end.
The IRCC’s latest announcement has not only left many families feeling abandoned but has also sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness and fairness of Canada’s immigration policies.
Why it Matters
The suspension of the Parents and Grandparents Programme is more than just a bureaucratic decision; it holds profound implications for thousands of families yearning for reunion. It underscores the challenges faced by Canada’s immigration system and the pressing need for reform. Family reunification is a cornerstone of our society, and the current delays threaten to fracture relationships and erode trust in the immigration process. As the government continues to navigate the complexities of immigration, it must remember the human stories behind the statistics and work diligently to reunite families in a timely and compassionate manner.
