Parent and grandparent sponsorship

[ZIDYAY]

The Canadian immigration has recently released an announcement that application to petition parent and grandparent shall be opened this coming January,2014. Presently, the waiting period for this kind of petition if coming from the Philippines is 40 months for Step 1 and 59 months in Step 2. Overall the total is a little more than 8 years.

When Canadian immigration suspended the acceptance of application, the average waiting period was 7 years for this category. And the rationale that was told for having it suspended was because the waiting was too long. The program was considered not sustainable. It was mentioned also that the suspension will result in the shortening of waiting period because the processing of petitions earlier received will be accelerated or speed up. This will happen as new criteria is being established.

The program is set to open and yet based on most recent record the waiting has not improved but in fact became longer. My question is does anyone know whether the waiting period will dramatically change in January 2014 or it will be the same as today? Two years after the suspension, why has the waiting period not improved but rather it deteriorated?

It appears that Canada immigration is giving very low priority to parents after they launched the Supervisa. As a parent, I am getting to be disappointed with the government policy. I consider myself still young, educated and skilled. However, I could not qualify anymore under the FSW because of my age. I am confident I can get employment if only I can be provided the authorization to work. Under the Supervisa this is not possible because I am entering only as tourist. If on the other hand my son's petition for us can be processed and approved soon, we shall land as permanent resident and therefore very much authorized to work. I hope the Canadian government is not lumping all parents under one category who are all potential dependents on government subsidies or assistance. They are being discouraged to join with their children to Canada. A more objective evaluation of application to my mind is necessary so that those who have stronger qualifications to become productive and independent will be given due consideration.

I shall appreciate any comment regarding the issues I raised.

 

[Rob_TO]

My question is does anyone know whether the waiting period will dramatically change in January 2014 or it will be the same as today? Two years after the suspension, why has the waiting period not improved but rather it deteriorated?

Nobody knows what new processing times will be. Also keep in mind that when the program re-opens in 2014, CIC will only accept the first 5,000 applications and then suspend the program again. They are also increasing quite significantly the minimum income requirements to qualify as sponsor.

So all these things considered with fewer applications to process and stricter incomes needed for one to even apply in the first place, logically that should speed up the process (not that the CIC really follows logic). But in the end a lot will depend on the number of employees CIC has dedicated to parents PR apps going forward.

 

[scylla]

Nobody knows what new processing times will be. Also keep in mind that when the program re-opens in 2014, CIC will only accept the first 5,000 applications and then suspend the program again. They are also increasing quite significantly the minimum income requirements to qualify as sponsor.

So all these things considered with fewer applications to process and stricter incomes needed for one to even apply in the first place, logically that should speed up the process (not that the CIC really follows logic). But in the end a lot will depend on the number of employees CIC has dedicated to parents PR apps going forward.

Agreed. To add, parent / grandparent sponsorships will forever be a significantly lower processing priority over spousal and dependent children applications. So I believe it would be unrealistic to expect that parent / grandparent application processing times will ever come anywhere close to matching those of the spousal and dependent child classes.

 

[zardoz]

This is an controversial subject, but there are some that believe that the influx of parents and grandparents is a potential drain on social resources for very little long term benefit to Canada. As in any population, there is a bell-curve of abilities and employability. Where do you set the pass mark?

 

[sumair1]

...influx of parents and grandparents is a potential drain on social resources...

That is true in some cases, but I feel that parents can provide other "non-economic" benefits.
For example, in some communities, parents become responsible for child care of their grand children. I believe that is a very good social benefit where children always have family at home.

[quote author=scylla]
parent / grandparent sponsorships will forever be a significantly lower processing priority over spousal and dependent children applications.
[/quote]

That makes sense as spousal/children is a more pressing category and thus parent/grandparent is lower priority. But the disparity in the wait times is enormous. I feel that disparity in waiting times is ridiculous. Low priority seems more like no priority!

[quote author=ZIDYAY]
...I consider myself still young, educated and skilled...
[/quote]
Canadian immigration system is pretty ageist. May be sponsor's financial ability should not be the only criteria for sponsorship... may be give priority to younger parents. May be give priority to parents with dependents as it usually means Canada is getting "future tax payers" to offset any drain those parents may place on the social resources.

 

[screech339]

This is an controversial subject, but there are some that believe that the influx of parents and grandparents is a potential drain on social resources for very little long term benefit to Canada. As in any population, there is a bell-curve of abilities and employability. Where do you set the pass mark?

It is a controversial subject to those who want to bring their parents/grandparents over here. It is no controversial to those that don't bring their parents over.

As far as I'm concerned parents/grandparents are nothing but babysitters for the sponsors kids for short term. The kids will become teenagers and thus babysitting would no longer be required. What then, send the parents/grandparent back because their services no longer required? Not going to happen. Sponsored Parents/grandparents are a drain on Canada's social resources since they have never contributed to Canada's taxes all their lives. Canada social network depends on workers' tax contributions. Right now our social programs are in sire strait since there are fewer workers now compared to those who are retiring. Honestly we really don't need parents/grandparents to be sponsored. If they are needed for at home baby sitting services, the super visa is perfect for that.

Screech339

 

[truesmile]

Hence, the LOW priority and LONG wait times . . .

 

[Rob_TO]

Sponsored Parents/grandparents are a drain on Canada's social resources since they have never contributed to Canada's taxes all their lives. Canada social network depends on workers' tax contributions. Right now our social programs are in sire strait since there are fewer workers now compared to those who are retiring. Honestly we really don't need parents/grandparents to be sponsored. If they are needed for at home baby sitting services, the super visa is perfect for that.

In principle I would agree. Parents/Grandparents will naturally be using more of Canada's health care resources, compared to the average Canadian. So logically it's not a sustainable model to allow all these people to use our health care system that have not paid a penny into the tax system that funds it.

I think the current system actually works well, in which Supervisas can be issued relatively quickly, but the parents/grandparents are responsible for their own health related costs. Actual PRs in this sense I think are justified in setting caps on the maximum issued per year.

 

[Suin]

Where our (PR) taxes go then? Some people are taxed thousand of dollars that they never use for themselves? Why not to mention those people who are Canadians and prefer living at somebody's expense and the refugees?
I do understand this attitude when two parents are alive and they have more kids living with them in their country of origin who can look after them and support them - but what to do when you have a single parent living thousands of mile away without care and support?
There should always be some exceptions.

 

[Alurra71]

Where our (PR) taxes go then? Some people are taxed thousand of dollars that they never use for themselves? Why not to mention those people who are Canadians and prefer living at somebody's expense and the refugees?
I do understand this attitude when two parents are alive and they have more kids living with them in their country of origin who can look after them and support them - but what to do when you have a single parent living thousands of mile away without care and support?
There should always be some exceptions.

Your PR taxes are going into the same pool for resources that you, a PR are using for yourself. Healthcare, old age pension, when the time comes, etc etc etc. If a parent is in such dire straights in his/her home country, then why did you leave that parent to begin with? If it was to better your life so you could care for said parent, that does not automatically give the right to the parent to join you here. You can send money to that parent, or even hire someone trustworthy to care for that parent if necessary. Would it make you feel better, if Canada said, OK, we can process your parents paperwork to come and be with you here in Canada faster, however, once here, you must care for them in every manner. They can not receive healthcare of any sort that is funded by the taxpayers and they can not receive an old age pension of any sort either because they have never been employed in the country of Canada. Will you then still want to bring your parent here to care for him/her/both?

The sad part about trying to roll the refugees and the Canadians who prefer to live on welfare in with parental sponsorship, is that as the system currently stands, bringing in elderly parents, they are essentially going to be the same as those you are trying to point a finger at. There are many who pay taxes all their lives, use nothing but the basics for medical / health care and retire only to get a fraction of what they paid into the system back out of the system. That is what a social system offers though. It takes care of those folks who can't put into the system what they take out of the system, for whatever reason. Canada can only focus on taking care of their own citizens. A lot of money also goes into helping to resettle those PR's that come with no idea as to what to expect. Just how far should Canada extend her arms to welcome another countries citizens?

 

[Rob_TO]

Where our (PR) taxes go then? Some people are taxed thousand of dollars that they never use for themselves? Why not to mention those people who are Canadians and prefer living at somebody's expense and the refugees?

Just because someone today hasn't used health care or social services in the dollar amount equivalent of what they have paid in, does not mean that in their lifetime it won't eventually even out. As Canadians who have contributed all their lives with taxes, it's when they are older that they start to most use and recoup those payments.

Some Canadians do abuse and live off the system, but that is their right as Canadians. This same right does not exist to non-Canadians.

And regarding refugees, not everyone is accepted. Many apply, but many are also refused refugee status and deported from Canada, as there is usually a limit Canada will accept per year.

but what to do when you have a single parent living thousands of mile away without care and support?
There should always be some exceptions.

Everyone that immigrates to Canada via either the work or family PR class, makes a conscious decision to leave behind their home country and family that is not eligible to immigrate with them. There is no human right that says a new immigrant's entire family is entitled to also come to Canada. Everyone knows the rules in place before they decide to come here.

Also to the parents living thousands of miles away with no family, there is a solution. It's called the Supervisa and offers a quick process to get that parent to Canada where the kids can care for them. The only stipulation is they can't have access to Canada's tax-funded health care plan.

There are also exceptions as you say... as Canada does allow parents/grandparents to receive PR status here. In 2014 they will allow 5000 more applications to be considered. Do you think every single parent and grandparent of a Canadian or PR, should be allowed to simply receive PR status and full access to our health care and social services instantly?? This would obviously provide a huge drain on our system, and cause everyone's taxes to increase. There has to be limits, wait times and rules put in place to control this.

 

[Suin]

if Canada said, OK, we can process your parents paperwork to come and be with you here in Canada faster, however, once here, you must care for them in every manner. They can not receive healthcare of any sort that is funded by the taxpayers and they can not receive an old age pension of any sort either because they have never been employed in the country of Canada. Will you then still want to bring your parent here to care for him/her/both?

If you asking for my personal opinion - yes, I would take the complete responsibilities for my parent staying with me in Canada - including all possible and impossible expenses.

 

[Suin]

Some Canadians do abuse and live off the system, but that is their right as Canadians. This same right does not exist to non-Canadians.

The right of citizenship does not give anyone any right to abuse the system. Canada grands citizenship to the thousands of people yearly - and non-Canadians become Canadians to be able to abuse the system.

 

[Suin]

Everyone that immigrates to Canada via either the work or family PR class, makes a conscious decision to leave behind their home country and family that is not eligible to immigrate with them. There is no human right that says a new immigrant's entire family is entitled to also come to Canada. Everyone knows the rules in place before they decide to come here.

Not all people have a right of choice. As for entire family - just look into the situation when one comes to Canada on a Skilled worker program for example and in a few years time entire family of 10 is here to join him. And sure then there's no place for just one person. Is that fair? I guess it depends...


There's too much abuse to the immigration system here, it definitely needs to be changed.

 

[Alurra71]

Usually if the entire family has managed to immigrate behind this person, they likely didn't do it legally. There is a LOT of abuse in the immigration system. It makes it that much harder for those who are doing it legally. We have to show more 'proofs' of legality rather than being presumed to be telling the truth we are automatically assumed to be lying and then forced to show them the truth before being allowed in. That is the way life works though, sadly. There will ALWAYS be those folks who will take advantage of any and every opportunity they are presented with and then exploit that opportunity to the maximum making it harder for that same opportunity to be given to another deserving person.

How many folks, for example, are on this very forum website asking how to skirt the legalities of their responsibilities as a PR or how to 'fake' letters of experience to gain entry and so on and so forth? Far too many for my tastes. I am trying to enter this country legally to be with my husband, and I have to tell you. Some days, I just want to throw in the towel and say nope, never mind. But because it is my husband and I wish to be with him more than I wish anything else in the world, I will continue to trudge through all their paperwork, and jump every hurdle and dot every I and cross every T they present me with and in the end I will have earned my place to be here legally, and will have no trouble looking any Canadian citizen in the eye knowing I now have a right to be here as well.