Ottawa, February 23, 2018
IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT
Ministerial Instructions Regarding the Processing of Applications under the Federal Self-Employed Persons Class (Farm Management)
Notice is hereby given, under subsection 87.3(6) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has established the following Ministerial Instructions that, in the opinion of the Minister, will best support the attainment of the immigration goals established by the Government of Canada.
Overview
Authority for these Ministerial Instructions is derived from section 87.3 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The Instructions are directed to officers and the Minister’s delegates who are charged with handling and/or reviewing applications for permanent residence.
These Instructions come into force on the day they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and apply to applications received by designated Department of Citizenship and Immigration offices on or after that date.
Any categories for which Instructions are not specifically issued shall continue to be processed in the usual manner, as per processing priorities established by the Department.
These Instructions are consistent with IRPA objectives as laid out in section 3, specifically, to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of immigration; to enrich and strengthen the social and cultural fabric of Canadian society; to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy; to protect public health and safety and to maintain the security of Canadian society.
The Instructions are compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Instructions respect all previously established accords and agreements, including the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, and all existing agreements with provinces and territories.
Intake of permanent residents under the Federal Self-Employed Persons Class
Effective upon the date of publication of these Instructions in the Canada Gazette, Part I, the number of new applications that will be accepted for processing annually for Federal Self-Employed Persons Class applications where the relevant experience of the applicant is in the management of a farm under subsection 88(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations will be set at zero. This temporary moratorium will remain in place until otherwise indicated in a future Ministerial Instruction.
Disposition of applications
Applications for permanent residence under the Federal Self-Employed Persons Class by applicants whose relevant experience is in management of a farm that are received by designated Department of Citizenship and Immigration offices on or after the date of publication of these Instructions in the Canada Gazette, Part I, will be returned along with the processing fees.
— Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
