A new humanitarian pathway for foreign nationals from Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela officially launches today.

Canada has introduced a novel humanitarian initiative to address irregular migration, welcoming 15,000 individuals through a family-based pathway designed to complement existing programs. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed the dedicated humanitarian pathway, now open for applications, which aims to grant permanent residence to foreign nationals from Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela.

The initiative underscores Canada's commitment to providing safe and legal avenues for displaced individuals to establish new lives in the country. Minister Marc Miller highlighted the profound contributions newcomers make to communities, including economic growth and filling labor market gaps.

To qualify for this pathway, the principal applicant can be a child (regardless of age), grandchild, spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who commits to supporting them and their family members as an anchor for one year. Applications must be submitted through the online IRCC portal, accompanied by a signed statutory declaration from the anchor confirming their willingness to provide support. Eligibility also requires planning to reside outside Quebec, as the province has opted not to participate in the program.

Applicants approved through this pathway will receive pre-arrival services, including employment skills assessment and referral to a settlement service provider organization in their community. They may also be eligible for transitional financial assistance through the Resettlement Assistance Program.

In addition to this humanitarian initiative, Canada is already welcoming an additional 4,000 people through existing temporary worker programs, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. The country is also leveraging the Refugee Labour Mobility Pathway and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot to address migration pressures in the Western Hemisphere.

As part of its broader commitment, Canada is investing $75 million over six years in capacity-building efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean. These projects aim to enhance asylum capacity and facilitate the integration of migrants and refugees into local communities and labor markets, further addressing the political, social, and economic instability contributing to displacement.