Some news from the interview yesterday with cbc.
Spousal sponsorship delays 'unacceptable'
The minister said the Liberals are committed to reducing wait times, not just for those sponsoring parents and grandparents, but also for those sponsoring spouses and common-law partners, children, and caregivers.
"That's a huge item on our agenda, which we will be addressing in the coming months," McCallum said.
Canadians who want to sponsor their spouses have also grown increasingly frustrated with long processing times.
In December 2014, amid complaints of growing delays, then–Immigration Minister Chris Alexander launched a one-year pilot project intended to issue open work permits more quickly to the spouses of Canadians already living in the country but waiting for permanent residency.
According to the Immigration Department's website, the current wait time for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner is over two years if they live in Canada and upwards of 17 months for those living outside the country.
"Over the years, there have not been enough resources devoted to the spouses," McCallum said.
"I think that's unacceptable and that is one of the things we are determined to address."
The Liberals have budgeted an additional $25 million to reduce application processing times in 2016-17, followed by an additional $50 million a year for the next three years.
