Latest news with #RemiLariviere
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Canada approved over 17000 criminals to enter the country in the last 10 years
Over the last 10 years, Canada has allowed more than 17,600 people with criminal records to enter the country after approving their applications for rehabilitation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed. Between 2014 and 2024, Canada received over 25,350 rehabilitation applications from foreign nationals seeking to visit, study, work, or immigrate. Of those, nearly 70 percent were approved, while about 20 percent were denied and 10 percent were withdrawn. The approvals are part of a long-standing legal process built into Canada's immigration system. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act , foreign nationals with past convictions must demonstrate they've been rehabilitated and pose no threat to Canadian society. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scientists: Tinnitus? When tinnitus won't go away, do this (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo 'Canadians' safety will always be our top priority,' IRCC spokesperson Remi Lariviere told CTV News. 'These decisions are made by experienced immigration officers based on legal criteria and a detailed review of the facts.' How to qualify? Live Events To qualify, an applicant must wait at least five years after completing their sentence and prove they've changed. Officers assess the nature of the offense, the time passed, the conduct since, and community support. Each case is reviewed individually. The IRCC does not break down approvals by type of crime, country of origin, or reason for entry. However, immigration lawyer Chantal Desloges says many offenses are minor. 'The vast majority of these offences are pretty minor,' she said on CTV Your Morning. 'When you hear these terms like 'foreign criminals,' it sounds very scary.' One of her clients was nearly barred from Canada due to a conviction for hunting ducks out of season. She added that in Canada, even minor offenses like driving under the influence can result in inadmissibility. 'The US tends to focus on crimes with moral turpitude. Canada is much more black and white.' Some applicants seek rehabilitation proactively, just to be eligible in the future. 'I've had people apply just so they know they can come back someday,' Desloges said. While critics argue the process lacks transparency, IRCC insists it's not about 'forgiving' crimes, but ensuring applicants meet legal and safety thresholds. 'These cases have helped reunite families and allowed athletes, artists, and loved ones into Canada,' said Lariviere. 'But approval does not mean automatic entry.'
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Canada has approved entry for more than 17,600 people with a criminal record in last decade
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, June 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Canada approved 17,600 rehabilitation applications from people with criminal records hoping to enter the country in the last decade, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed to CTV News. From 2014 to 2024, more than 25,350 foreigners submitted an application to have their criminal record forgiven so they can enter Canada, whether on a work or study visa, to apply for permanent residency, or for a short-term visit. Of those, nearly 70 per cent were approved, nearly 20 per cent were refused, and about 10 per cent of applications were withdrawn. 'Canadians' safety will always be our top priority,' wrote IRCC spokesperson Remi Lariviere in an email to CTV News. 'Decisions to approve or refuse a rehabilitation application are made by experienced immigration officers, based on legal criteria and a detailed review of the facts.' 'People with past convictions outside Canada must demonstrate they have been rehabilitated and do not pose a risk to Canadian society,' Lariviere also said. IRCC does not filter the applications for the type of criminal activity. The department also did not specify how many applications were for people hoping to visit Canada for a short period, versus work, study, or a permanent residency application. IRCC also does not filter for the applicant's country of origin. 'Rehabilitation has been a longstanding practice, with provisions that have been outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) since 2001, more specifically under paragraph 36(3)(c),' Lariviere wrote. 'This is not about 'forgiving' crimes. These provisions are applied cautiously, and on a case-by-case basis.' To have a rehabilitation application approved, Lariviere wrote, a person must show that five years have passed since the offence or completion of their sentence, and demonstrate they are unlikely to commit further crimes. All applications, Lariviere added, are assessed by an IRCC official who takes into consideration the nature and seriousness of the offence, the amount of time that's passed since it was committed, 'evidence of good nature since,' the applicant's community support, as well as other factors. According to IRCC, 'individuals must still meet all other requirements for a visa or immigration program.' 'This process has helped reunite family members and spouses of Canadians, and allowed performers and professional athletes (to) enter Canada, despite having a criminal conviction in their past,' Lariviere wrote. 'Approval for rehabilitation simply renders the individual not inadmissible due to their criminal past — it does not automatically grant entry to Canada."
