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What else do you think the government can legally hold OP financially liable for? Here is the definition from IRPA:

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/page-30.html#docCont

Undertaking — duration

132 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the sponsor’s undertaking obliges the sponsor to reimburse Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province for every benefit provided as social assistance to or on behalf of the sponsored foreign national and their family members during the period


The government can come after OP for welfare repayments. If the mother-in-law cannot afford a nursing home bed or dental or whatever else you have referred to and OP refuses to pay for it, she will go on welfare to pay for it. OP would then be liable for the welfare.

In this case, she has enough income that she won't likely won't ever qualify for welfare even if OP refuses to pay.

If she doesn’t qualify for welfare and refused to go on welfare then it would go back to the province looking for payment for the bed. There was an example on this forum of the nursing home arranging payment with the sponsor based on their income. The SIL had not realized this could be a cost. Someone was asking why they would be charging them a fee. Most people are unaware that nursing homes are highly subsidized but there is still a bed fee. Not going to search the forum. Never said dental. It is an expense to consider if parents are moving Canada but it would always be and private insurance provides such bad coverage that it is pointless.
 
Just for extra clarification : https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/section-2.html

social assistance means any benefit in the form of money, goods or services provided to or on behalf of a person by a province under a program of social assistance, including a program of social assistance designated by a province to provide for basic requirements including food, shelter, clothing, fuel, utilities, household supplies, personal requirements and health care not provided by public health care, including dental care and eye care. (assistance sociale)
 
If she doesn’t qualify for welfare and refused to go on welfare then it would go back to the province looking for payment for the bed. There was an example on this forum of the nursing home arranging payment with the sponsor based on their income. The SIL had not realized this could be a cost. Someone was asking why they would be charging them a fee. Most people are unaware that nursing homes are highly subsidized but there is still a bed fee. Not going to search the forum. Never said dental. It is an expense to consider if parents are moving Canada but it would always be and private insurance provides such bad coverage that it is pointless.

Either she can afford to pay the bed fee herself or the government pays it through a social assistance program and seeks reimbursement from the sponsor.

The example you refer to is someone making arrangements so that their parent didn't go on welfare and end up incurring a debt for them. Had they not paid the nursing home directly, the parent would have gone on welfare and the government would have sought reimbursement. The nursing home could not have gone after them for reimbursement.

You said dental:

Need help if your MIL gets dementia. You are unlikely to get support in your home unless you pay for it. Incontinence products are not covered. Dental care. Hearing aids are usually not covered.
 
As @canuck_in_uk pointed out you are in an enviable position since your MIL has a good monthly pension, is in good health, would guess speaks good English (pension narrows down country of origin) and she seems relatively self-sufficient if she is travelling back and forth. That said marriage is tough enough without a 3rd person involved:p

Yeah, which is why I am trying so hard to think everything through instead of just throwing in the towel. And our relationship is great, dare I say I find it easier to deal with her than with my own mother - God help me if she ever hears this.
English is her third language actually. It is not good enough to hold an office job but she can definitely communicate enough if she were to get a job, though my wife does not want her to work, and she doesn't really have to at least for now. But definitely self sufficient and helps a lot around the house with our dog and child. It is a relief when it comes to daycare costs and such...
 
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I think you need to consider your relationship before making a decision here. If your wife is already upset at you for not showing the same level of commitment to the woman who helped you buy your house and currently loves with you, and that conversation has led to culture clash and awkwardness, a conversation over a post nuptial agreement won't help.

I hate to say it but I think you have more relationship problems than immigration problems here :(
Absolutely, I have realized that my main issue is not so much the immigration portion of this whole thing. I just feel stuck, I don't want to do it I know that much, but I also don't want to hurt her feelings, more than I already have. I just hope I can figure it out fast enough..
 
Absolutely, I have realized that my main issue is not so much the immigration portion of this whole thing. I just feel stuck, I don't want to do it I know that much, but I also don't want to hurt her feelings, more than I already have. I just hope I can figure it out fast enough..

Have you considered talking to a marriage counselor? Maybe that might help.
 
Either she can afford to pay the bed fee herself or the government pays it through a social assistance program and seeks reimbursement from the sponsor.

Ah, so the government can get back to me for assisted living, if it is offered through a social assistance program in BC.
I thought that most medical (with the exception of things that are just not covered at all, even to Canadian citizens) would be covered, with exception of dental and eye care. Again, not counting on the government covering those costs, but I do want to understand all possible costs, so thank you.
 
Ah, so the government can get back to me for assisted living, if it is offered through a social assistance program in BC.
I thought that most medical (with the exception of things that are just not covered at all, even to Canadian citizens) would be covered, with exception of dental and eye care. Again, not counting on the government covering those costs, but I do want to understand all possible costs, so thank you.

If her income was not sufficient to pay for a nursing home and she went on welfare for it, you would be on the hook. But again, with a ~$50k annual income, she can afford it herself. Regardless of the undertaking, her own income would always be assessed for any potential welfare.