Maple News reports that Canada has officially launched a new family-based humanitarian immigration program aimed at offering safer, legal alternatives to irregular migration for individuals from Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela. Through this initiative, 15,000 foreign nationals will be welcomed to Canada as permanent residents, expanding upon the country’s existing humanitarian commitments.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller announced that the special humanitarian pathway is now open for applications. The program targets individuals with close family ties in Canada, offering them an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a stable environment. “Providing safe, legal pathways for displaced people to start new lives in Canada not only delivers on our global responsibility but also strengthens our communities,” Miller stated.
To be eligible, applicants must have a family connection to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident—such as a parent, grandparent, child (of any age), sibling, or spouse—who agrees to be their anchor and support them for a one-year period. The sponsor must submit a signed declaration affirming their commitment.
Applications must be submitted through the official online IRCC portal. However, the province of Quebec has opted out of the program, meaning applicants planning to reside there are not eligible to apply under this pathway.
Participants will receive a suite of pre-arrival services designed to ease the transition to life in Canada, including employment readiness assessments and referrals to local settlement organizations. Some newcomers may also qualify for financial assistance through the federally-backed Resettlement Assistance Program.
In line with broader regional efforts, Canada is also expanding its intake through existing temporary worker channels like the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, set to accommodate an additional 4,000 individuals. At the same time, Canada continues to support refugee economic integration via pilot initiatives like the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
This new pathway is part of Canada’s broader strategy to curb irregular migration and respond to displacement crises in the Western Hemisphere. To further bolster regional resilience, Canada has pledged $75 million over six years to improve asylum systems and migrant integration efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The new humanitarian pathway reflects Canada’s ongoing role as a global leader in compassionate migration policy, balancing humanitarian values with economic and community development goals.