Bill C-242

Reuniting Families Act

An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents)

Sponsor

Kyle Seeback Conservative

Introduced as a private member’s bill.

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow a parent or grandparent who applies for a temporary resident visa as a visitor to purchase private health insurance outside Canada and to stay in Canada for a period of five years.
It also requires the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to prepare and table a report in respect of a reduction to the minimum income requirement that the child or grandchild must meet in order for the visiting parent or grandparent to be able to enter and remain in Canada for an extended period.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-242s:

C-242 (2020) An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine)

C-242 (2016) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture)

C-242 (2013) An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (increase of allowance for survivors and children)

Votes

Oct. 26, 2022 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents)

May 4, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-242 aims to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding super visas for parents and grandparents of Canadian residents. It seeks to extend the maximum stay in Canada from two to five years, allow applicants to purchase health insurance from foreign companies, and requires a report assessing the implications of reducing the minimum income requirement for applicants. The bill's goal is to facilitate family reunification by making the super visa more accessible and affordable.

Conservative

Support with reservations: The Conservative party supports the bill, noting the government's adoption of two sections of the bill via ministerial instructions as a positive step, but expresses concern that these instructions are not as secure as legislated law. They are critical of the government's omission of the section about reducing the low income cut-off (LICO).
Reduce LICO requirement: A key objective is to reduce the low income cut-off (LICO) to allow more families, particularly newer immigrants with lower incomes, to qualify for the super visa. They argue that this would help these families economically and improve their overall stability.
Economic benefits: Bringing parents or grandparents to Canada is presented as an economic benefit to families, enabling them to increase their income, save on childcare, and improve their economic standing. They fault the government for not studying the economic benefits of more families bringing their parents/grandparents, as requested in 2017.
Urges government support: The Conservative member urges the government to support the bill, highlighting that the Bloc Québécois and NDP supported the bill in committee. He emphasizes the importance of enshrining the super visa improvements in legislation and reducing the low income cut-off to help families, especially new Canadians, with the affordability crisis.

NDP

Supports Bill C-242: The NDP supports Bill C-242, which aims to enhance the super visa process for parents and grandparents to reunite with their families in Canada. They view family reunification as crucial and believe the bill is a step toward a more compassionate family reunification law.
Against financial barriers: The NDP believes that family reunification should not be based on the ability to pay and want to see a full review of the costs associated with family reunification. They argue that when parents and grandparents are blocked from reuniting with their families due to income requirements, it sends the message that family reunification must be bought.
Need for appeal process: The NDP wants an appeal process for super visa rejections, arguing that families should not have to resort to expensive judicial reviews. An appeal process would allow review officers to consider extenuating circumstances and make compassionate decisions.
Lift the cap: The NDP wants the government to lift the cap on the parents and grandparents reunification program so that families can pursue permanent residence status for their loved ones more easily. They want more resources directed towards IRCC to expedite the visa process.

Bloc

Supports super visa changes: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-242, which makes specific changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding super visas for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, facilitating family reunification.
Easing financial burden: The Bloc supports allowing super visa applicants to purchase health insurance from foreign companies approved by the minister to increase competition and lower costs. They also support extending the visa duration from two to five years to reduce the frequency and cost of renewals.
Addresses childcare needs: The Bloc emphasizes that allowing parents and grandparents to stay longer helps with childcare, enabling immigrant parents to participate more fully in the workforce and alleviating the financial strain of childcare expenses, especially given the shortage of childcare spaces.
Improve immigrant integration: The Bloc believes that Bill C-242 will help improve the integration process for newcomers. Specifically, they think it will allow new immigrants to have more time to integrate into society, learn the language, seek employment, and improve their living conditions.

Liberal

Support family reunification: The Liberal party strongly supports family reunification and acknowledges its importance to Canadian society. They aim to connect newcomers with family members through both permanent and temporary programs.
Improvements via ministerial instruction: While supporting the bill's principles, the Liberal party believes that changes to the super visa are best implemented through ministerial instructions rather than enshrining them in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). This approach offers greater flexibility and allows for quicker responses to evolving needs, exemplified by the recent enhancements announced in June. They are concerned that enshrining changes in IRPA would make it more difficult to make future improvements.
Supports super visa changes: The party supports changes to the super visa program. Recent changes, implemented via ministerial instruction, include extending the length of stay for super visa holders and authorizing the designation of international medical insurance companies to provide coverage.
Open to examining income requirements: The Liberal Party is open to examining the income requirements for the super visa to explore opportunities for greater program flexibility and increased family reunification. They also support the minister reporting to Parliament on potential program improvements.

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Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 24th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried on division or to request a recorded division, I would invite them now to rise and so indicate to the Chair.

The hon. member for Dufferin—Caledon.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 24th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.

Conservative

Kyle Seeback Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would prefer it to carry on division, or perhaps, by unanimous consent.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 24th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I will be clear: We would like a recorded vote.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 24th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Pursuant to an order made on Thursday, June 23, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, October 26, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

As spoken

Sitting SuspendedReuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 24th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Being that we are a little ahead of time, I would suggest that we suspend until the call of the Chair.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11:48 a.m.)

As spoken

(The House resumed at 12:03 p.m.)

The House resumed from October 24 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents), be read the third time and passed.

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 26th, 2022 / 4:10 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C‑242 under Private Members' Business.

Translated

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #200

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 26th, 2022 / 4:20 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for North Okanagan—Shuswap, The Economy; the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot, Access to Information; the hon. member for Brantford—Brant, The Economy.

Partially translated

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 26th, 2022 / 4:25 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, in light of what happened today, in particular prior to question period, I hope you would find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: That, the time provided for Government Orders today be extended by 30 minutes.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 26th, 2022 / 4:25 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business

October 26th, 2022 / 4:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

As spoken

Reuniting Families ActPrivate Members' Business