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Business Standard
an hour ago
- General
- Business Standard
Canada visa lottery: 17860 parents, grandparents of migrants invited for PR
Canada has reopened its Parents and Grandparents Program for 2025, with IRCC sending 17,860 invitations by lottery. Selected applicants must apply by October 9 Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi If you're looking forward to bringing your loved ones from India to Canada, the federal government on July 28 reopened the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has started issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to permanent residents and Canadian citizens wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents. The deadline to submit a complete application is 11:59 pm ET, October 9, 2025. What is the Parents and Grandparents Program? The PGP offers a pathway to permanent residency for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians. Here's how the process works: • You must have submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 • Applicants are selected through a random draw • Only those invited in the draw can submit a sponsorship application • The sponsor must meet income and eligibility criteria laid out by IRCC 'Over the next two weeks, IRCC will issue 17,860 invitations to apply from the 2020 pool,' the department said on its website. 'We're working toward accepting up to 10,000 complete applications this year.' Those selected are contacted via email and must submit their applications online using the Permanent Residence Portal. Two-step application process Sponsors and their parents or grandparents must each complete a separate application: Sponsorship application: Submitted by the sponsor Permanent residence application: Completed by the parent or grandparent being sponsored IRCC requires that both applications be submitted together online. If more than one person is being sponsored, a separate permanent residence application must be completed for each. Some exceptions may be granted for those unable to apply digitally. Which forms are required? Sponsors must complete and upload the following: IMM 1344 (sponsorship agreement) IMM 5771 (document checklist) IMM 5768 (financial evaluation) Parents and grandparents being sponsored must submit: IMM 0008 (generic application) IMM 5669 (background/declaration) IMM 5406 (additional family information) Detailed guidance is available in IRCC's instruction manual, Guide IMM 5772. How much does it cost? For a single applicant, the total government fee comes to CAD 1,205 (about ₹76,000). This includes: Sponsorship fee: CAD 85 Processing fee (for the principal applicant): CAD 545 Right of permanent residence fee: CAD 575 If a spouse, partner, or dependent child is included, additional fees apply. Medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics may incur extra costs and are handled separately by authorised third parties. After submission: What to expect According to IRCC, applicants must include a copy of their invitation when applying. Any application missing key documents may be returned unless the missing pieces are submitted within 30 days. Once the application is submitted: • Applicants must undergo medical examinations • Police certificates (valid for one year) must be uploaded • Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are mandatory for all applicants aged 14 to 79 IRCC recommends keeping copies of all submitted documents and regularly checking the status of the application online. Failure to follow instructions or meet deadlines could lead to a refusal or delay in processing.
National Post
17 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. Article content According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. Article content Article content Article content 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Article content Article content 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. Article content The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. Article content 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Article content Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Article content Article content Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. Article content The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. Article content IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. Article content 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' Article content IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. Article content 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' Article content The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Article content Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. Article content 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Article content Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' Article content
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' — with files from Canadian Press Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Federally funded hotels 'were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems,' spokesperson says A group of women outside the Radisson hotel at Hwy 401 and Victoria Park Avenue in Toronto on Oct. 2, 2018. The government is ending its program of hotel rooms for asylum seekers this year. Photo by Jack Boland / Postmedia The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' — with files from Canadian Press Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
One in Eight Language Education Programs Shut Down: Immigration Policy Putting Canada's Official Languages Sector at Risk
OTTAWA, ON, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - According to Languages Canada, over 13% of Canada's accredited English and French language education programs closed in the first quarter of 2025 alone, marking the sharpest decline in the sector's history. The number of accredited Official Languages programs is now at its lowest since 2011. The sector has seen a dramatic decline in recent years. In 2019, it generated $6.7 billion in economic activity and supported over 75,000 jobs. In 2024, those numbers shrank to $3.7 billion and 35,000, despite Canada's global reputation for quality language education and its recognition as a top destination for English and French language learning. "Canada's immigration system has become unpredictable and unwelcoming," said Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director of Languages Canada. "Students and their families now see Canada as too risky, and institutions are finding that Official Languages programs are no longer financially viable." A Policy Crisis of Canada's Own Making In 2024 alone, 13 major changes were made to IRCC's International Student Program, all in response to issues unrelated to language education, such as housing and workforce gaps. Yet none considered the impact on Canada's Official Languages programs, which play a unique and strategic role in national infrastructure, productivity and identity. These programs were not responsible for housing shortages (most students live with Canadian families during their studies) and did not displace Canadian workers (language students are not allowed to work). Nevertheless, they have borne the brunt of poorly targeted policies. The most recent policy change prevents Official Languages students from transitioning smoothly into post-secondary programs, dismantling long-standing and effective pathways between Canadian institutions. This not only undermines decades of successful collaboration but also puts students and their families in precarious situations. As Peralta observes, "We rightly express concern when Canadian students are denied opportunities in the U.S. due to unfair policies—but the truth is, tens of thousands of international students already in Canada are now facing similar injustices here."Retention, Productivity, and Integration at Stake Research shows that international students completing language programs before entering post-secondary studies in Canada have higher GPAs and better retention outcomes, offering a measurable return on investment for institutions. These programs also foster better integration into communities, and a safer and more productive workforce. "Language is not just a learning outcome—it's national infrastructure," added Peralta. "It drives academic success, workplace productivity, and social cohesion." A Loss of Identity Beyond economics and student success, the erosion of Canada's Official Languages education sector represents a profound cultural loss. Canada's bilingual identity is a cornerstone of its values and global brand. As language programs disappear, so too does Canada's commitment to inclusion, diversity, and shared identity through its Official Languages. As Peralta concludes: "My hope is that our newly elected government asks how Official Languages education can be a strategic advantage to the country, as infrastructure to reaffirm Canadian identity, support productivity in all sectors, and foster inclusive and socially cohesive communities." About Languages Canada Languages Canada is the voice of Canada's official languages education providers. Our 170 members include English and French public college and university language programs and private language schools, located across nine provinces. Collectively, they welcomed 97,000 international and domestic students into Canadian classrooms and communities in 2024 (down from 150,000 in 2019). Languages Canada members are committed to operating in accordance with the LC Quality Assurance Framework and Accreditation Scheme, which are rooted in student protection, quality education, and ethical business practice. To learn more, visit SOURCE Languages Canada View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
