Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department issued new instructions on July 22, 2026, clarifying that immigration officers do not have the authority to grant humanitarian and compassionate exemptions to permanent residence applications filed under temporary public policies. As a result, such exemptions must be refused.
Normally, applicants seeking permanent residence from within Canada may request exemptions on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The new directive makes clear, however, that H&C exemptions apply to exemptions from requirements within the Act, not to requirements imposed by temporary public policies.
Under the updated guidance, an application for permanent residence under a temporary public policy must satisfy all the policy’s stated requirements. If an applicant seeks an H&C exemption to overcome a missing element of the policy, officers must refuse the application.
When such applications are refused, applicants are not entitled to an additional, separate H&C decision on permanent residence. The decision on whether to grant permanent residence on H&C grounds would not be made in the context of the policy application; instead, any H&C consideration would require a new application.
Impact: The directive narrows the path to permanent residence for those relying on temporary public policies, particularly if those policies leave some criteria unmet. Applicants should carefully assess whether they can meet all policy criteria without recourse to H&C exemptions, and consider obtaining legal guidance if they anticipate pursuing an H&C route later on.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in Canadian immigration policy and offer guidance for applicants navigating temporary public policies and humanitarian considerations.