Canada’s Parent-Grandparent Sponsorship Crisis: Emotional Toll and Calls for Reform (Part 2)
Aging parents remain abroad, missing milestones and family care as Canada’s challenging reunification system deepens emotional and cultural loss.
WBN News Kitsilano
Bready Wu | WBN News – Kitsilano | May 13, 2025
“Many Canadian families remain separated from their loved ones due to prolonged processing times under the Parents and Grandparents Program, missing out on countless family milestones.” – The Times of India, 2025
Introduction
Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has been largely frozen since 2020, leaving thousands of families in emotional and financial distress. With permanent reunification stalled, advocacy groups demand systemic reforms to restore family unity and prioritize family reunification as a core value of Canadian immigration policy (IRCC - Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship).
1. The Invisible Scars of Separation
Aging parents remain abroad without the care and support of their families. Many sponsors express growing concerns over missed milestones, deteriorating health, and cultural disconnection. Grandparents unable to pass down traditions and languages to Canadian-born grandchildren only deepen the sense of loss (CCR - Family Reunification Issues). During the 2019 intake, Canada shut the door on parent and grandparent sponsorships "after a mere 10 minutes," leaving thousands locked out of the process (Asian Pacific Post).
2. Advocacy and Outcry
Community advocates like Québec Réunifié have raised concerns about prolonged separations, highlighting the emotional toll on families who wait indefinitely (Global News - Quebec Family Reunification Concerns). Laurianne Lachapelle of Québec Réunifié expressed concern that the province's decision to reduce the number of family reunification applications would exacerbate stress and delays for Quebec families, who already experience longer wait times compared to other Canadians (Global News).
While public discourse often highlights the need for a more accessible and transparent system, media outlets such as The Globe and Mail have raised concerns about the challenges families face when navigating the current reunification process. They emphasize that improving accessibility and reducing bureaucratic hurdles would better align with Canada's commitment to family unity (The Globe and Mail - Reform Family Reunification Policies).
3. Super Visa: A Flawed Lifeline
The Super Visa is marketed as a family reunification tool, allowing parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years. However, critics argue it falls short—parents cannot work, access public healthcare, or obtain a driver's license (IRCC - Super Visa Information). Many believe it merely patches a deeper issue, highlighting the need for genuine pathways to permanent residency.
Conclusion
Canada’s family reunification pillar is under strain. Advocates call for larger quotas, streamlined processes, and restored pathways for families to reunite without indefinite waits.
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