Indians to benefit from Canada's family reunification programme
Darpan News Desk IANS, 21 Jul, 2021 04:31 PM
A record number of 40,000 immigrant families will be allowed to sponsor their parents and grandparents to bring them to Canada in 2021.
This means 30,000 additional applications will be accepted as against the annual intake of 10,000 under the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP), which is aimed at family reunification.
Since Indo-Canadians are one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, they will be the major beneficiaries of the programme.
Applications can be submitted online over a two-week period, starting September 20.
Using the random selection process, those whose applications are accepted would be allowed to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada.
Since the sponsors have to show a certain minimum income requirement, the Canadian government has allowed them to include state benefits received during the Covid lockdown towards their income. This will ensure that applicants are not penalised for lost income during the pandemic.
Unveiling the programme, Canadian Immigration Minister Marco E.L. Mendicino said, "The importance of family has never been clearer than during the pandemic. That is why we are delivering on our commitment to help more families reunite in Canada.
"By strengthening the Parents and Grandparents Programme, inviting a record number of sponsors to apply, and by adjusting our requirements to adapt to the current times, we are once again proving our commitment to helping Canadian families stay together, and thrive together."
Vancouver and Calgary are among the 10 North American cities included in the new portal, which Airbnb says will also aid in rebuilding post-pandemic tourism and providing technical support.
The NDP reached an agreement to govern with the Green party after the 2017 election, but Horgan says the deal started showing signs of instability in the legislature this summer.
The early investigation suggests a black pickup truck might be involved as one was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed around the time of the incident.
Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu says violence and threats of violence are unacceptable and he has urged the RCMP's commanding officer in Alberta to get to the bottom of what happened.
Henry says the key will be finding the right balance as cases surge while allowing people to carry out activities like going to work and school or holding elections.
Chief electoral officer Anton Boegman says it involves measures to ensure safe voting procedures for people who want to cast ballots at polling stations and enhanced opportunities to vote by mail.
.jpg "RCMP investigating violence at anti-racism rally")
.jpg "Mail part of ElectionsBC plan for safe COVID vote")