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."
Michael J. Fox's research foundation is launching a podcast to help people with Parkinson's disease navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research says the limited series will offer practical advice on topics including: how to make the most of telemedicine appointments, and tips for socially isolating when you need in-home care.
The Trudeau government says it will look at whether investments in new technology could help clear any backlog of information requests that arises from a COVID-19 related bottleneck.
The federal government will remain focused on navigating Canada out of the COVID-19 crisis before turning to the murky mystery surrounding the origins of the novel coronavirus, says Health Minister Patty Hajdu.
The Bank of Canada will need to maintain its independence to aid the economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as the country's debt levels rise, says the bank's second-in-command.
The Canadian Armed Forces is planning to hold a ramp ceremony Wednesday to honour the six service members who went down with a military helicopter that crashed off the coast of Greece, even though the remains of five have not been recovered.
.jpg "Feds eye new tools to help Access to Information system recover after COVID-19")
