A member of the Canadian Parliament called on the federal government to discuss the plight of foreigners with COPRs, but who cannot enter Canada. Christine Normandin, an immigration critic of BlocQuébécois, expressed concern in a letter to Marco Mendicino, Immigration Minister that recently approved permanent residents are in a difficult situation and they cannot be exempt from travel restrictions. They also find it challenging to process their future files.
The Quebec Group (BlocQuébécois) is one of the federal political parties in the Canadian Parliament composed of elected representatives. Each party appoints members of Congress to criticize the policies of the ruling party. The Department of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) temporarily cancelled thousands of new permanent residents that Canada had selected, especially in business class, noted CIC News.
Permanent Residence
These people have completed the permanent residence procedure and obtained IRCC approval, and therefore have a permanent residence permit (COPR). The process of approval entails passing a medical examination and federal security controls. Under normal circumstances, these people will enter Canada and become permanent residents officially.
However, if their documents were given after the Canadian border was terminated on March 18; current travel restrictions do not allow foreigners with COPR to enter the country unless otherwise exempted or residents of the United States.
Normandin pointed out in the letter that this situation is unreasonable: “There seems to be no healthy justification, especially because COPR holders for long expressed their goal to comply with the entire quarantine measures taken on arrival.”
Recent Approvals
Although permanent residents undergoing family reunification and sponsorship procedures are not subject to travel restrictions, immigrant investors and skilled workers with COPRs are not exempt, so many are currently in their country of origin and in trouble.
Normandin wrote in the letter: “Many people worry that their COPR will expire and need to start the process from scratch. The costs associated with a criminal background and medical examination checks can be expensive, especially for families. This may be expensive.” In fact, the Canadian government has not yet put forward a clear plan to handle the situation.
In various statements, IRCC stated only endorsed applicants can enter the country if travel limitations are removed. The government also stated that if the documents of these people expire while waiting for the border to open, there is no need to go through the process of the application once more.
Normandin said: “Unless there are appropriate barriers to entry and restrictions on COPR holders are immediately lifted, it will be difficult to make up for the waste of time caused after borders are finally opened, which will cause delays in the collection of pending documents.
