Ottawa puts sharper focus on permanent residency for privately sponsored refugees

Ottawa is boosting its focus on permanently resettling privately sponsored refugees, while simultaneously reducing the number of government-sponsored refugees. In the upcoming years, approximately 29,000 refugees and an additional 20,000 protected persons and family members will receive permanent residency status annually through 2029, maintaining a level similar to last year but with adjustments in eligibility.

The number of privately sponsored refugees will rise to 17,500 from 16,000 in 2025, whereas the eligible government-sponsored refugees will decrease to just under 12,000 from over 13,000 last year.

Organizations such as religious societies and community groups assist privately sponsored refugees by providing essential support during their first year in Canada, including housing, food, rent, and clothing. Renze Nauta, a program director at the non-partisan think tank Cardus, advocates for increasing privately sponsored refugees as they generally exhibit higher success rates in integration compared to those aided by the government.

Cardus previously urged Immigration Minister Lena Diab in September to raise the percentage of privately sponsored refugees after their numbers were reduced last year. Nauta contends that leveraging civil society and Canadians who support refugees is beneficial and should be expanded upon.

On the other hand, Lauren Lallemand, co-executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, expresses concerns that this shift indicates a transfer of responsibility from the government to civil society groups. The government bears a moral obligation and is bound by international law to resettle refugees. Lallemand finds the government's actions disconcerting, especially considering the ongoing global crises and the high acceptance rate for refugee asylum claims, which exceeds 70 percent.

The government's decision to implement stricter asylum claim filing deadlines since 2024, despite the substantial number of displaced individuals seeking safety, is deemed troubling.