Canada could quicken family reunification process

According to the latest published data by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada has a backlog of nearly 1.8 million immigration applications, including 112,392 refugee applications as of last October. As of November 5, 2020, there were more than 50,000 spousal sponsorship applications in the backlog.

Frustrated at the delays, many applicants have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. One of the groups is the Canada Spousal Sponsorship Support Group, which has over 20,000 members.

NDP Immigration Critic Jenny Kwan has called upon the IRCC to prioritize family reunification and create a special temporary resident visa as part of the family reunification process.

The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) is also calling for a change of policies and attitudes related to spouses of Canadian citizens.

“Foreign national spouses of Canadians are not only ineligible for a work permit but may not even be able to enter Canada,” the Association told NCM.
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