The federal government is increasing the number of privately sponsored refugees eligible for permanent residency in the coming years as it reduces the number of eligible government-sponsored refugees. What do these changes mean?
In its 2027 immigration levels plan, released last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says about 29,000 refugees and another 20,000 protected persons and family members will be granted permanent residency status annually through 2029. Overall, the number is similar to last year, but within that number the government is making adjustments to who is eligible for permanent residency.
Privately sponsored versus government-sponsored
The number of privately sponsored refugees eligible will increase to 17,500 from 16,000 last year, while the number of eligible government-sponsored refugees will fall to just under 12,000 from more than 13,000 in 2025.
Groups like ROAR and other community organizations help privately sponsored refugees find housing and provide them with food, rent, clothing and other essentials during their first year in Canada. Most Canadians would agree in principle that increasing the number of privately sponsored refugees is a good thing because they tend to be more successful at integration. Government-sponsored refugees get significantly less support during that crucial first year of resettlement.
What do refugee advocates say?
Canada should increase the number of refugee placements. However, as the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has pointed out, the shift to privately sponsored refugees could appear as if the government is off-loading more of its refugee responsibilities onto civil society groups.
In a release dated November 6th, 2026 the CCR expressed dismay that the federal government’s immigration levels plan shows a further reduction in the commitment to resettling refugees. “At a time when global displacement is at record levels, and the US has dismantled its resettlement program, Canadian leadership is more critical than ever.”
The CCR goes on to make the following points:
Proportionate Impact on Refugees: Since 2023, Canada's overall immigration levels have been cut by 18%, whereas refugee resettlement targets have dropped by 43%. Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) targets specifically dropped from 23,550 in 2023 to 11,750 for 2027 — falling far short of the CCR's recommended 20,000 minimum.
Private Sponsorship Concerns: While the Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR) target was adjusted to 17,550, the CCR notes this merely offsets GAR cuts, while offloading state responsibility onto civil society, maintaining tight restrictions, and keeping application wait times around four years.
Family Reunification & Permanent Residence: The CCR noted lengthy processing delays (over three years) for overseas family reunification of accepted refugees (Protected Persons). They urged the government to implement a permanent structural solution that grants Protected Persons automatic permanent residence.
Positive Initiatives Acknowledged: The CCR commended the government's initiative to grant permanent residence to 100,000 people under humanitarian programs (including special measures for Ukrainian and Hong Kong residents, alongside long-standing humanitarian and compassionate applicants) to clear backlogs.
Temporary Residents & Economic Shift: Temporary resident entries (workers and international students) are set to decrease from 673,650 (in the 2025 plan) to 370,000 (in 2027). The CCR has called for worker-rights-centred reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and cautions against over-indexing on economic immigration (aimed at 64%), emphasizing that refugee and family immigration build a stronger society.
What about LGBTQI+ refugees?
The plight of queer refugees around the world just keeps getting worse. In a November 5 post, the International Pride Centre published its latest findings from its own community surveys: 92% of forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people have experienced targeted sexual and gender-based violence.
76crimes.com reports that homophobia and war have combined to force thousands of queer refugees in East Africa on hazardous multi-nation treks in search of safety. At least 2,400 LGBTQI+ people have fled from recent fighting in Ethiopia. Most of them will end up in camps like Kakuma (in northern Kenya) and Gorom (in South Sudan), joining hundreds of vulnerable queer folk who suffer daily abuse, threats and violence.
In light of the dire situation faced by queer refugees in many countries, not just in Africa, it is beyond disappointing that Canada is not increasing its overall refugee quotas.