Refugee immigration to Canada to be reduced

While there is humanitarian justification, as well as has been proven an economic benefit, the Canadian government plans to cap new refugee claims under the private sponsorship program, under the justification of reducing a growing backlog.

Private refugee sponsorships have grown dramatically since 2000, from less than 3,000 to a projected – not taking into account a forthcoming cap announcement – 6,500 in 2013.

What the cap will be next year has not yet been disclosed.

“The government claims it needs to stop the annual flood of new applications to clear a backlog of 23,200 refugees with sponsors waiting in Canada,” according to the Catholic Register.

While the government has stated that its central goal is to reshape immigration to Canada around economic benefit, the Institute for Research on Public Policy has come out with a report that refugees, along with immigrants under the Federal Skilled Workers program, actually do better economically once in Canada than all other cohorts.

Traditionally, refugees have been able to get members of their family into Canada through the refugee program, but this may be reduced because of the curb. Last week, the federal government also put a two year moratorium on bringing in parents and grandparents under the Family Class immigration category, which could also theoretically prevent refugees from sponsoring these family members once they themselves attain permanent residency (PR).

There has been at least one novel case where a refugee within Canada was rejected for permanent residency but had since found a Canadian partner waiting for this decision, so was able to apply for their PR under the Family Class category, still open for spouses and common law partners.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the question is: “how many immigrants can Canada absorb each year?” And while the federal government answers this question moreso on economic goals, immigrants themselves have their own justifications, including refugees, and so must find out about their eligibility under what program, as programs, caps, and criteria have seen a lot of changes in the last couple of weeks.

You can refer to the Refugee Application Process if necessary, or, if you suspect you are eligible for admissibility to Canada under one of its immigration programs, fill out our assessment form.