a) In 1997, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration issued 2,244 minister's permits to persons inadmissible for a variety of reasons other than criminal or medical inadmissibility. The department does not have a list of the 10 most common reasons for which these permits were issued on behalf of the minister because data is not collated in this manner. However, the majority of permits issued for technical reasons were issued to members of the family class to allow early admission to Canada before all of the processing steps were concluded. An example would be the issuance of minister's permit to a spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is unable to undergo the required immigration medical X-ray due to pregnancy. A minister's permit may be issued to allow her to be reunited with her family despite the fact she has not met the medical requirements.
In such cases, the X-ray is normally completed after the birth of the child and the processing of the spouse's application for permanent residence is then completed in Canada.
Minister's permits may also be issued to facilitate the entry to Canada of highly skilled workers or business immigrants where Canadian jobs are at stake. An example would be that of an applicant for permanent residence destined to work with a Canadian high-tech company. The worker is key to the implementation of a project or the ability of the company to honour its contractual obligations. Hundreds of Canadians will be laid off if the company is not able to bring in the skilled worker immediately. The prospective immigrant cannot be issued an immigrant visa because the medical examination or criminal or security screening have not been completed. A minister's permit may be issued to allow the prospective immigrant to enter Canada and to start work immediately while processing of the immigration application continues abroad.
b) In 1997 the department issued 1,497 permits to persons inadmissible for criminal reasons. The department does not have a list of the 10 most common reasons for which these permits were issued on behalf of the minister because data is not collated in this manner.
However, an example would be that of a prospective visitor who admits to a minor criminal conviction several years ago, such as driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, or shoplifting, but wishes to come to Canada to visit family. After determining that the individual presents no danger to the public, a minister's permit may be issued to facilitate the visit.
c) In 1997 the department issued 275 permits to persons inadmissible for medical reasons. The department does not have a list of the 10 most common reasons for which these permits were issued on behalf of the minister because data is not collated in this manner.
An example would be spouses and dependent children sponsored by Canadian citizens or residents that are found to be medically inadmissible. Minister's permits may be issued in such cases on humanitarian and compassionate grounds in order to facilitate family reunification. Departmental officials consult with provincial health officials before issuing minister's permits in such cases. Another example would be minister's permits issued to medically inadmissible visitors, including children, coming to Canada for medical treatment where the treatment is not available in the home country and the treatment has been prepaid by the visitor or the visitor's family in Canada.