On October 11, 2022 IRCC announced an update for Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) saying they will begin sending Invitations to Apply to potential sponsors who previously submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.

According to IRCC the Parents and Grandparents Program plays a significant role in attracting, retaining and integrating immigrants who contribute to our success as a country.

The IRCC has not accepted fresh applications for the program since the last round in 2020. Many Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents meet all eligibility criteria defined by IRCC but are unable to apply to the program as they are not accepting fresh applications.

As the program uses a lottery system to send invitations – all eligible Canadians should have an equal opportunity. The IRCC is discriminating against Canadians who have become eligible in the last 2 years.
The whole process usually takes 2-3 years.  By not accepting applications for 2 years IRCC has increased this to 5 years (and counting) for several Canadian families. 

How are hard-working Canadians expected to be happy in this country when they don’t even get an equal chance to bring their parents and grandparents and look after them?

Sean Fraser (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) and Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada) should stop discriminating among Canadians and give equal opportunity for all eligible Canadians to apply for Parents and Grandparents Program