14.84°C Vancouver

Jan 6, 2025 3:15 PM - Connect Newsroom

Canada halts new permanent residence applications for parents, grandparents in 2025

Share On
canada-halts-new-permanent-residence-applications-for-parents-grandparents-in-2025
The Parents and Grandparents Program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.

Canada in 2025 will stop accepting new applications for permanent residence under the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship programme. IRCC has said they will only process family sponsorship applications submitted in 2024 under the Parents and Grandparents Program.

For 2025, IRCC aims to process no more than 15,000 sponsorship applications.

For those Canadian citizens and permanent residents wanting their parents and grandparents to stay longer in Canada, the super visa option remains available, permitting visits lasting up to five years per stay.

The Parents and Grandparents Program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.

Latest news

federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Criminal defence lawyer charged with child exploitation offences; Calgary police seek additional victims

A Calgary criminal defence lawyer is facing multiple child sexual exploitation-related charges, and police say they are seeking to identify additional potential victims. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, 46-year-old Jordan Bonner was arrested Thursday. Investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a law office in Calgary in connection with the case. Police allege Bonner engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with multiple youths and shared child sexual exploitation material. The allegations have not been tested in court. Authorities say the complainants
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat
surrey-mayor-raises-concerns-after-daytime-shooting-calls-for-police-discussions
BCMay 06, 2026

Surrey mayor raises concerns after daytime shooting, calls for police discussions

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says recent incidents in the city require urgent attention, following a daytime shooting earlier this week that remains unsolved. According to statements attributed to the mayor, Locke said the situation “cannot continue” and must be addressed with seriousness by local authorities. The comments come after a shooting reported Monday afternoon near 130 Street and 76 Avenue, where police say gunfire occurred at a business complex. No arrests have been announced in connection with the incident as of publication time, according to available police information. Locke sa
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Alberta man re-arrested hours after release for alleged breach of internet ban, police say

A 47-year-old Alberta man is back in custody after police say he breached court-ordered restrictions on internet use just hours after being released from jail. According to a Lethbridge Police Service news release, the man was released from custody at about 7 a.m. last Friday. Police allege he was observed shortly before noon the same day using a social media account at a public library to view images of children. Police say the man is subject to a lifetime prohibition order that restricts his access to social media and other internet platforms. The order was imposed following his convictions

Related News