OTTAWA: Ottawa is introducing a series of reforms aimed at reuniting families and will begin issuing additional invitations to potential sponsors of parents and grandparents.
The government has doubled the number of accepted applications from 5,000 to 10,000, and for this year that number has been increased to 17,000. The parents and grandparents sponsorship process begins with potential sponsors completing an online form expressing their interest to sponsor a parent or grandparent for Canadian Permanent Residency.
The submissions are then reviewed by the Immigration department; potential sponsors are selected at random by a computer.
The program is part of the family class sponsorship program and requirements to be eligible as a sponsor include being able to meet the minimum income requirements by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) and demonstrating that they have met the minimum necessary income level for three consecutive years.
Ms. Kamal Khera, Member of Parliament for Brampton West believes these additional invitations will help reunite families and thereby contribute to a stronger Canada.
In a statement to the Voice, Khera, who is also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, said: “Reuniting families has always been a priority for our Government and the recent improvements to the parents and grandparents sponsorship program illustrates our commitment. For a lot of Canadians being away from their parents and grandparents is extremely difficult, the additional invitations will see more Canadians reunite and well thought out process.”
The family class sponsorship program includes a stream for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Successful parents and grandparents under this program receive permanent residence.
Khera is a registered nurse, community volunteer and a political activist. Ms. Khera serves on the National Finance Committee as a non-voting member.