Under the Conservative government, Canada has arguably adopted a more hostile stance towards Canadian spouses sponsoring a foreign spouse and foreigners looking to settle in the country, which has resulted in a decade of decline in immigration. Canada immigration policies have damaged Canada's international reputation as a country that openly welcomes newcomers.
The decline can be readily seen in family reunification, asylum seekers, citizenship applicants and business immigrants. Canada's rate of immigration has also declined under the Conservatives.
For family reunification applicants, processing times have increased by up to 500 per cent over the past decade. This was largely due to the debilitating 2011 budget cuts imposed by the Conservative government. The ever increasing waiting times have led to ever increasing numbers of people who find themselves lost in the immigration system. Additionally, as if the emotional and financial burden on immigrant families was not enough, the Conservative government also reduced the age of eligible dependents qualifying for family reunification from 22 to 18. Applicants with children over age 19 must now consider relocating to Canada without their families or hope their children secure admission to Canada under a study program. Yet, family reunification is supposed to be one of the hallmarks of Canadian immigration policy. Just not under the Harper government.
For refugees, the Conservative government has not only implemented legal reforms that deny due process to vulnerable asylum seekers, but has also tried to reduce or eliminate the basic health care services they are entitled to. Although the Federal Court overruled the move, calling it "cruel and unusual" because it jeopardizes refugees' health and shocks the conscience of Canadians, the Conservative government is currently challenging the ruling.
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The content of this article reflects the personal insight of Attorney Colin Singer and needs no disclaimer.