Change in rule of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program - Good or Bad?

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney sternly commented, "If immigrants are keen to live with their extended families, they're welcome to do so in their own country"

The sudden and immediate changes in rule of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program are scorned by the resident immigrants, who were expecting their families to join them. As many as 300 protestors bearing signs of protest and Canadian Flag marched outside the legislative assembly of Saskatchewan.

Earlier this month Immigration Minister Rob Norris all of a sudden changed the family sponsorship rules. Earlier where the Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program permitted up to 18 members to be sponsored at a time the new rule permits sponsorship of only one member at a time. As many as 600 families were sponsoring as many as six to 18 members. The corrective measures had to be immediate. This was the best in favor of Canada as well as deserving immigrants as per Minister Norris. To help the labor market Saskatchewan is open to accept skilled workers.

This instantly effective change that the Saskatchewan government came up with without any prior intimation to place a verge up on the sponsored applicants that can be supported under family category is a setback for those who were awaiting their families to join them. Due to immediate effect instead of being able to sponsor multiple relatives at a time for a permanent resident visa, each household is permitted to now to nominate just a single individual at once. The next application for sponsoring another relative back home can now be made only after the principal applicant has served Saskatchewan’s labor market for a minimum period of six months.

From now on the individuals who are being sponsored need to be between age group of 18 to 49 and they must have matching skills to serve and fulfill the short-term demand of the local market. They shall be able to migrate only if they have an arranged employment and an offer letter to confirm the employment.

As feasible choice of other provincial nomination programs and the Federal Family Class Sponsorship program do exist. The government just is trying to tighten and put off abuse of Family Reunification Program. As per the federal immigration policy, the sponsors are responsible to financially support the immigrant relatives and it is their responsibility to ensure that sponsored immigrant relatives do not seek assistance from the Canadian government for their survival. An overall impact of this new change, though not felt immediately, shall be positive for all.