Quebec family reunification delays

[1] The lengthy wait period for family reunification has exposed many couples to intense emotional stress, amplifying concerns related to fertility, parenthood, and testing the stability of their marital unions.

[3] A study conducted by the Institut Universitaire Jeunes en Difficulté (IUJD), involving 146 families who experienced reunification in Quebec, showed how repeated relational disruptions can have significant psychosocial consequences for children both in the short and long term.

[4] The traumatic effects of family separation on children are well-documented, including higher rates of PTSD and depressive disorders that can persist into adulthood, negatively impacting academic performance, relationship formation, and mental health.

This legislation granted Cabinet the power to prohibit entry to Canada for immigrants from any race it deemed undesirable, based on their customs, habits, modes of living, methods of owning property, and their supposed inability to assimilate easily.

The immigration regulations of 1954 and 1956 limited admissions to citizens of specifically listed countries, maintaining implicit discrimination until 1962, when a general entry requirement was applied to all, giving preference to those with extended family in Canada.

[18] The Federal Court of Appeal of Canada ruled that immigration processes for family reunification must be equitable for all relatives, including parents, grandparents, spouses, and children, following a complaint by Amir Attaran, a Law professor at the University of Ottawa.

[21] Behind this scenario is a quota policy set by the government of François Legault, which limits the number of annual admissions and has generated a backlog of nearly 40,000 pending cases, highlighting not only bureaucratic difficulties but also the emotional and social impact on the involved families.

[21] Monsef Derraji, spokesperson for the Quebec Liberal Party on immigration matters, describes the situation as inhumane, highlighting the emotional difficulty of separated families and questioning the insistence of the provincial government.

[24] The investigations did not surprise two federal officials who, fearing workplace retaliation, spoke with CBC News under the condition of anonymity, describing a work environment where staff are constantly monitored and pressured to handle as many calls as possible, even affecting bathroom breaks.

Jasraj Singh Hallan, an MP from the Calgary area and shadow immigration minister of the Conservative Party, expressed concern about IRCC's inability to address racist behavior in the workplace and its effect on massive delays in visa applications and refugee processing times.

Despite the shared belief that an immigrant deserves protection regardless of their race, ethnicity, or the political dynamics that forced them to flee, these communities observe with mixed emotions the reception of more than a million Ukrainians, reflecting preferential treatment in contrast to their own experiences marked by obstacles to safety.

[28] The discretion given to immigration officers and the preference in the points system for highly educated candidates proficient in French or English, more likely to be from predominantly white and "developed" countries, indicated that discrimination persisted.

Pierre Fortin, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the Université du Quebec à Montréal, calls the figure proposed by Blackburn "unreasonable," warning it could lead to administrative chaos and foster xenophobic and racist attitudes towards immigrants.

[37] France-Isabelle Langlois, director of Amnesty International Canada, expressed her outrage, especially at comments made by the Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, who claimed that the "Quebecois identity" is threatened by immigrants, which was interpreted as a discourse inciting hatred and xenophobia.

[39] A survey commissioned by Québec Réunifié aimed to identify the demographic characteristics of individuals involved in the family reunification process for spouses or partners, providing detailed insight to MIFI authorities.

Finally, the professional profile of the sponsored shows a diversity that promises to significantly contribute to Quebec's economy, underscoring the beneficial potential of this immigration category for the strengthening of the French language in the province.

[39] The political situation in Quebec seems to follow a global trend where leaders like Matteo Salvini, Viktor Orbán, and Donald Trump have popularized xenophobic discourses in regions where they previously lacked influence.

[42] In this scenario, politicians and political parties strive to present themselves as defenders of citizen interests, whether by advocating for greater autonomy in immigration policy decisions, as in the case of Quebec, or seeking to accelerate family reunification processes to alleviate humanitarian situations, as done by the Federal Government.

This accusation arises in response to Miller's decision to increase, if necessary, the threshold for this immigration category, in order to accelerate the processing of applications in Quebec, where delays are almost three times longer than in the rest of Canada for sponsoring a spouse living abroad.

Caught in bureaucratic delays in processing their applications for permanent residence in Canada, these couples face the harsh reality of living apart for years, leading some to even consider divorce as a result of the strain on their relationships.

Studies and reports have highlighted specific cases that illustrate the additional barriers and discrimination these couples face, underscoring the urgent need to adapt reunification procedures to ensure their safety and well-being.

Both work in the health sector and have contributed to Quebec society, facing significant stress due to delays in processing their sponsorship application, complicating their ability to travel and increasing their uncertainty about the future.

The story of individuals like Joanne Alexandre in Haiti highlights the critical intersection between forced migration and reunification policies, evidencing a clear risk to the safety and life of applicants under these extreme conditions.

Testimonies like that of Amandine, published in media outlets such as Le Devoir, and reports documenting cases of public servants in this situation, demonstrate the socioeconomic and personal consequences of deficiencies in the reunification process.

The delays and confusing or unnecessary requests by CIC, along with long waiting times for security verifications and the difficulty in obtaining clear information about the status of applications, further complicate these processes, exacerbating the emotional and psychological suffering of the family members.

[56] This aspect is crucial, as family separation not only disrupts the relationship between parents and children but also exposes those affected to greater risks of exploitation, abuse, and neglect, leading to adverse psychosocial consequences both in the short and long term.

[55] A report prepared by Nathalie Coursin for Québec Réunifié reveals the sponsored individuals' desire to fully integrate into Quebec society, demonstrated by their willingness to learn French and by the diversity of their professional profiles.

[22] Should Minister Christine Fréchette fail to comply, Me Lapointe suggests another solution: create a dynamic admission target that adjusts according to supply and demand, to always respect the average processing time of 12 months.

[58] The litigation seeks to have the Superior Court declare inapplicable, invalid, or inoperative Legault's immigration plan and compel Minister Fréchette to adjust the admission thresholds to expedite family reunification procedures in Quebec.

Monsef Derraji, spokesperson for the Quebec Liberal Party on immigration matters, describes the situation as inhumane, highlighting the emotional difficulty of separated families and questioning the provincial government's insistence.