Regulation 117(9)(d) Consequences of Failing to Disclose a Family Member

The Minister of IRCC, Ahmed Hussen, has announced a two-year pilot program which allows some immigrants to sponsor family members who were previously barred under the family class sponsorship due to not being declared. This new policy shows a shift in the government's stance towards a more flexible approach and applies to sponsors who came as refugees or as accompanying family members. However, it does not apply to everyone and can result in potential misrepresentation and removal from Canada for those excluded. The new policy eliminates much of section 117(9)(d) of the IRPR and taking enforcement action against sponsors may not make sense given that many of them can now sponsor the previously omitted family member. The Minister of IRCC, Mr. Ahmed Hussen, recently announced a two-year pilot program which allows some immigrants to sponsor their undeclared, non-accompanying family members. These individuals would have been previously barred under the family class sponsorship pursuant to section 117(9)(d) of the IRPR. This pilot is significant as it shows the government’s changing mindset towards giving more flexibility to the current harsh regime set out in 117(9)(d). Announcing this new pilot, Minister Hussen said that the “federal government recognizes that the regulation was unfair”... Read more →