Highlights

  • An error in a Canada Gazette notice regarding the name of an entity in an electricity export application to the U.S. has been corrected.
  • The CITT is reviewing complaints from two companies alleging unfair practices in government procurement processes.
  • The CRTC has released decisions on various broadcasting licenses and renewals.
  • The Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has set forth guidelines for processing permanent resident visa applications for parents or grandparents sponsored under the family class for 2022 and 2023.
  • A limited number of sponsorship applications will be accepted in 2023, with a specific process for submission and selection.

Recent Regulatory Updates and Inquiries in Canada: Erratum Issued, CITT Complaints, and CRTC Decisions

An erratum was issued for a previous Canada Gazette notice, correcting the name “AlbertaEx, L.P.” to “AlbertaEx G.P. Inc., on behalf of AlbertaEx, L.P.” in an application to export electricity to the U.S.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) is conducting inquiries into two separate complaints. Leo-Pisces Services Group Inc. alleges unfair financial bid evaluation by the National Research Council of Canada for a Level 3 BI programmer/analyst position and requests a re-evaluation. Maerix inc. claims irregularities in Transport Canada’s procurement process for occupational health and safety program management software, including insufficient quantitative information in the solicitation.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has posted detailed decisions, notices, and other regulatory documents on its website. Abridged versions of the Commission’s original documents are also available. Recent decisions include approvals and renewals for various broadcasting undertakings across Canada, including television stations, FM radio stations, and broadcasting distribution undertakings in multiple provinces. Specific entities such as Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited, Cogeco Connexion Inc., Hollywood Suite Corp., and others have had decisions published regarding their respective media undertakings. [Source]

2023 Instructions for Processing Canadian Permanent Resident Visa Applications for Sponsored Parents and Grandparents

The Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has issued instructions for the processing of permanent resident visa applications for parents or grandparents sponsored under the family class. These instructions apply to applications received in 2022 and new applications in 2023. The 2022 applications will be processed in 2023, and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration will accept new sponsorship applications in 2023.

Interested sponsors had to submit their interest to sponsor between October 13 and November 3, 2020, using electronic means, with alternative formats available for those with disabilities. Invitations to apply for sponsorship in 2022 were issued through a randomized selection process from the interests received in 2020. Applications must be submitted electronically unless an alternative format is necessary due to inability to apply online.

Sponsorship applications must include the same information as the initial interest to sponsor, or provide an explanation for any changes, and must be accompanied by the required documents. There is a 60-day deadline from the invitation date to submit applications, with a possible 30-day extension for missing documentation.

Permanent resident visa applications must be made by applicants whose sponsors meet all conditions, include the required documents, and are submitted by the deadline, with the same extension provision for missing documentation.

A maximum of 16,000 sponsorship applications will be accepted in 2023, including both applications from 2022 and new applications in 2023. Applications will be processed in the order received. Requests made under subsection 25(1) of the Act from outside Canada accompanying unaccepted applications will not be processed. Applications not meeting conditions will be returned.

The instructions repeal previous instructions from October 15, 2022, and take effect upon the Minister’s signature. [Source]

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