Canada’s New Initiatives for Vulnerable Individuals
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Overview of Recent Developments
Canada is implementing measures to safeguard vulnerable workers, assist newcomers facing family abuse, and enable sponsorship of previously undeclared family members.
Protective Measures and Family Reunification
Enhancing Safety for Workers
May 31, 2019—Winnipeg, MB – Canada is determined to ensure a safe work environment for all employees, where their rights are upheld. Migrant workers with employer-specific permits often face mistreatment but fear job loss if they speak up.
Effective June 4, 2019, migrant workers in abusive situations can apply for an open work permit. This allows them to leave their employer immediately, maintain their status, and seek new employment.
Supporting Victims of Family Violence
No one should remain in an abusive situation. Starting July 26, 2019, newcomers experiencing family violence can apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit. This provides them with legal immigration status, a work permit, and health care coverage.
The process for permanent residence applications on humanitarian and compassionate grounds will be expedited for those in urgent situations of family violence.
Reuniting Families
When immigrating to Canada, applicants must declare all family members. Failing to do so results in a lifetime ban on sponsoring those members later.
Starting September 9, 2019, a two-year pilot project allows certain individuals in Canada to sponsor undeclared immediate family members. This includes resettled refugees, those with refugee protection in Canada, or those sponsored as a spouse, partner, or dependent child.
The government is committed to enabling vulnerable individuals to leave abusive situations and reunite with family members.
Official Statements
“Newcomers who failed to declare immediate family members as they first came to Canada were barred from sponsoring them. Today, we right that wrong. No worker should fear losing their job when they are being mistreated in their place of work. No partner should be more fearful of losing their immigration status instead of escaping abuse. Today, we say, fear no more.”
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Important Information
Upon approving an open work permit for a vulnerable worker, the employer undergoes a compliance inspection. Over 160 employers have been penalized or banned from hiring foreign workers. Criminal cases are referred to the Canada Border Services Agency or local police.
The expedited permit process for family violence victims is for foreign nationals in Canada without permanent residence, dependent on an abusive spouse or partner. It is not available to those outside Canada.
The two-year pilot for sponsoring undeclared family members runs from September 9, 2019, to September 9, 2021. In-process applications will also benefit from this initiative.
Related Resources
- Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 153, Number 11
- Employers who have been found non-compliant
- Help for spouses and partners who are victims of abuse
Contact Information
Media Inquiries Only
Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
