The Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship Program

Meurrens LawFamily Class (Spousal Sponsorships, Parents & Grandparents)

Under the Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship Program (the “PGP“), Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their foreign national parents and grandparents.  Sponsors must sign an undertaking with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (“IRCC“) or with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion for those in Quebec.  The undertaking ensures that the sponsored individuals and their family members do not have to apply for social assistance. The length of undertaking in the PGP is 20 years. As per the IRCC website, sponsors must: be 18 years of age or older; be a Canadian citizen, Registered Indian or permanent resident; be sponsoring their parents or grandparents; live in Canada; sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored; sign an agreement with the person theyare sponsoring; and prove that they have sufficient income.  Co-signers are permissible. Exclusions A Canadian citizen or permanent resident cannot be a sponsor if they: are in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than disability; are in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments; are an undischarged bankrupt; were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent criminal offence, an … Read More

Spousal Sponsorship and Social Assistance

Meurrens LawFamily Class (Spousal Sponsorships, Parents & Grandparents)

Section 133 of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the “Regulations“) prohibits a Canadian citizen or permanent resident from sponsoring a foreign family member (generally a spouse, common-law partner, parent or grandparent) if the Canadian is in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than a disability.  The Regulations define social assistance as being any benefit, whether money, goods or services, provided to or on behalf of a person by a province under a program of social assistance. It includes assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, utilities, household supplies, personal requirements and health care not provided by public health care. Pursuant to the internal Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC“) e-mails below,  it is important to note that IRCC does not consider subsidized housing to be social assistance. Section 133(1)(k) of the Regulations explicitly provides that a person can still sponsor a foreign family member to immigrate to Canada if the sponsor receives the social assistance because of a disability. Previous Receipt of Social Assistance Depending on the circumstances, the previous receipt of social assistance can render a sponsor ineligible.  Section 133(1)(b) of the Regulations provides that a sponsor must intend to fulfil the obligations in the sponsorship undertaking.  In Alriyati … Read More