PGP Paused, New Quebec Programs, Agri-Food Pilot Caps and Other Canada Updates

Parent and Grandparents Permanent Residency Program Paused

There will be no new applications accepted for the Parents and Grandparents permanent residency program (PGP) for 2025, IRCC has announced.

IRCC will, however, accept and process applications for the PGP that were received in 2024, with a goal to process a maximum of 15,000 applications.

As part of the government’s new Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC are planning to cut permanent residency admissions by approximately 20% this year, including those admitted through the PGP.

There is no firm indication as of the time of writing if or when the PGP will open to new applications again.

Citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are looking to bring their parents of grandparents to Canada must instead sponsor their relatives for a super visa, which will allow them to visit Canada for periods of up to five years at a time.

Quebec Immigration Pilot Programs Reopen for New Applications

Three Quebec immigration pilot programs have once again reopened for new applications.

These are permanent residency programs that primarily aim to fill labour shortages in specific sectors.

The pilot programs that are now open to new applicants are as follows:

• Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Food Processing Workers
• Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Beneficiary Attendants
• Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Visual Effects Sectors

A total of 600 applications will be accepted for each program. For the Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Visual Effects Sectors, applications will be split equally between each individual eligible sector.

The guidelines, which were updated for 2025, include requirements such as having work experience in your chosen sector and being able to speak French to the required minimum standard.

The pilot programs will close for new applications on 1 January 2026.

Cap Announced for Agri-Food Pilot Applications

IRCC have announced a cap on applications for the Agri-Food Pilot.

A total of 1,010 applications will be accepted. Eligible applicants to this program will be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency status, as long as they have work experience and a full-time job offer in a relevant agriculture or food processing role.

Originally, launched in 2020, over 4,500 individuals have successfully emigrated to Canada under the Agri-Food Pilot scheme.

The pilot will not be extended beyond its closing date this year and there is no indication if there will be an equivalent program opened in its place in the future.

Long-Term Future of Canadian Immigration Uncertain as Trudeau Resigns from Post

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he was resigning from his post last week, there has been some uncertainty over some of Canada’s long-term immigration plans.

One of the most notable is the delay of legislative changes to how individuals can obtain Canadian citizenship by descent. The deadline for changes was originally set as 19 March 2025, though this will almost certainly be missed due to the Canadian parliament being prorogued until 24 March.

The change in question is bill C-71, which would allow Canadian citizens born abroad to pass on their citizenship to their children born abroad, provided that the parent has spent at least three years in Canada prior to the birth or adoption of their child.

However, it now seems unlikely that the bill will be successfully brought into force.

A new leader of the Liberal party will be brought in to replace Trudeau within the next few months. A federal election will also take place later this year, after which we may have a clearer picture of how Canadian immigration will be affected in the future.

How Can IAS Help With Your Canadian Immigration Application?

IAS have a team of immigration consultants and caseworkers experienced in the field of Canadian immigration.

Our CICC-qualified immigration consultants can help you with numerous facets of Canadian immigration, including skilled worker, family, student or provincial-based immigration.

We can also give close guidance and support on Express Entry and the CRS, helping you to maximise your chances of being accepted for one of Canada’s prestigious immigration programmes.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 or reach out to us online.