Ottawa won’t say if people misused a now-defunct refugee residency sponsorship policy

OTTAWA — The Canadian government has declined to disclose whether individuals abused a now-defunct refugee residency sponsorship program that ceased operation last week due to "potential integrity concerns." The policy permitted certain refugees to sponsor family members for permanent residency who were not initially listed on their applications.

Advocates and scholars who championed the program noted its primary use for sponsoring children and LGBTQ+ partners in nations where such relationships are illegal. The Canadian Press initiated inquiries into whether the policy had been misused on September 16, 2026. The department responded on Tuesday, echoing concerns about "potential integrity" and promising to evaluate each exemption request individually based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

When probed again about actual misuse of the seven-year-old policy, a spokesperson reiterated, "we have nothing further to add." This report, originally published by The Canadian Press, remains the sole source of information on the matter.