Interesting article at the National Post ... an Ontario court case seems to indicate that sponsor's who's relatives default (receive social assistance/benefits) may not automatically be required to pay back the funds to the government. This despite the very clear Sponsorship Agreement which forms part of any family class sponsorship application requiring sponsors to be responsible for their relatives. It seems that about 5,000 sponsored immigrants apply for social assistance (in Ontario at least). Some critics have commented on the administrative hurdles in setting up 'case by case' assessments of which sponsors should be required to pay and which should not.

I'm all for due process, but there are some circumstances and situations that call for sympathy. For example, if someone sponsors a husband or wife, and is the victim of marriage fraud, they should not be responsible financially when/if that individual accesses social assistance.