Weekly Digest | April 20, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Work Permit – Jassal v. Canada, 2025 FC 701: Indian applicant denied a work permit to manage a fast-food franchise. Although a positive LMIA was issued, the officer concluded the applicant lacked required sector-specific experience under TEER 0 NOC 60030. Applicant had no restaurant or food service experience, only quality assurance in food manufacturing. The Court upheld the decision as reasonable, noting it was consistent with IRPR s. 200(3)(a). Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – D’Souza v. Canada, 2025 FC 682: Indian applicant with extensive establishment in Canada since 2007 was denied PR on H&C grounds. Officer gave little weight to letters of support and failed to properly assess hardship from returning to India, including risk of discrimination and lack of support. The Court found the decision unreasonable for undervaluing relevant factors and failing to assess hardship adequately. Judicial review granted. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Dhillon v. Canada, 2025 FC 527: Second spousal sponsorship refused for lack of genuineness under IRPR s. 4(1). IAD dismissed the appeal, applying res judicata as prior refusal had been upheld and judicial review denied. Applicant argued new evidence was not weighed, but Court found IAD’s exercise of discretion reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Johnson v. Canada, 2025 FC 685: Applicant (79) sought to sponsor 29-year-old spouse. IAD found the marriage was entered into primarily for immigration under IRPR s. 4(1), citing knowledge gaps, inconsistent testimony, and applicant’s own admissions. Positive evidence did not outweigh concerns. Court upheld IAD’s findings as reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Atehortua v. Canada, 2025 FC 711: Colombian applicant’s spousal sponsorship refused due to insufficient proof of one-year cohabitation. Genuineness was not disputed. Officer failed to assess affidavits and explanations about shared residence, including a letter from the sponsor’s mother. Court found key evidence was overlooked. Judicial review granted. Read more

PNP – Agbato v. Canada, 2025 FC 691: Nigerian applicant’s PR under Saskatchewan PNP refused due to misrepresentation. Officer concluded the applicant’s prior employment could not be verified during a site visit. pplicant explained office relocation and submitted business records, photos, and filings. Court found the officer misapprehended evidence, relied on flawed site visit, and failed to engage with rebuttal. Decision found unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

IDD Update – Apr 17, 2025: IRCC updated its Instrument of Designation and Delegation (IDD), effective Mar 11, 2025. Changes: added authority to cancel temp immigration docs (eligibility, admissibility, ops); limited refusals of foreign health insurance for super visa to senior roles; corrected delegations for Humanitarian & Identity Ops; updated division names post-restructuring; added delegations for International Student Program and for approving foreign health insurance (both effective Dec 23, 2024). Read more

British Columbia PNP 2025 – April 14, 2025: Due to a reduced 4,000 nomination cap, BC PNP will prioritize health authority staff, entrepreneurs, and high-impact skilled workers. About 1,100 new applications will be accepted; 2,900 nominations will go toward the existing 5,200-application inventory. General and priority ITAs are paused, except for select high-impact roles. Health stream eligibility now limited to direct care (e.g., doctors, nurses); Early Childhood Educators prioritized, assistants excluded. Plans for new student streams paused. B.C. aims to restore 3-month processing and continues to seek higher federal allocation. Read more

Manitoba Temporary Public Policy for PNP Candidates – April 15, 2025: As of April 22, 2025, Manitoba will begin accepting applications for Support Letters under a temporary public policy enabling eligible prospective Provincial Nominee Program candidates—whose work permits expired in 2024 or 2025 or will expire within 45 days—to apply for a two-year Manitoba-specific work permit extension. Applicants must have held a valid work permit on or after May 7, 2024, have maintained a valid Expression of Interest profile on January 15, 2025, be residing and employed in Manitoba, and intend to settle permanently in the province. The policy expires December 31, 2025. Read more

April 22, 2025: Deadline to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under the Yukon Nominee Program. Read more

May 2, 2025: Deadline to apply for Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Grants. Eligible applicants include non-profits, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, and Indigenous governing bodies. Read more