Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 1: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
January 6, 2024
DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT
Ministerial Instructions with respect to the processing of applications for a permanent resident visa made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor as members of the family class and the processing of sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications
These Instructions are published in the Canada Gazette in accordance with subsection 87.3(6) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act).
These Instructions are given, pursuant to section 87.3 and subsections 92(1.1) and (2) of the Act, by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration as, in the opinion of the Minister, these Instructions will best support the attainment of the immigration goals established by the Government of Canada by seeing families reunited in Canada.
These Instructions are intended to ensure that as of January 1, 2024, no new permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor and no sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications are received for processing until further Instructions are issued. Unless a new intake for the 2024 calendar year is implemented, for the 2024 calendar year, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (the Department) will only be accepting for processing permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor and sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications that were received in 2023 pursuant to the conditions outlined below.
Scope
These Instructions apply to applications for a permanent resident visa of a sponsor’s parents or grandparents made under the family class, referred to in paragraphs 117(1)(c) and (d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations), respectively, as well as to sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications.
Applications received in 2023
These Instructions authorize sponsorship applications received in 2023 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2024 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024.
Interests to sponsor
The Department accepted interests to sponsor from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern daylight time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern standard time, on November 3, 2020. The interests to sponsor were to have been completed and submitted to the Department using the electronic means available for this purpose, and if a potential sponsor were unable to submit an interest to sponsor by the electronic means made available by the Department due to a mental or physical disability, the Department made alternate formats available.
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application were issued to potential sponsors in 2023 using a randomized selection process from among non-duplicate interests to sponsor received in 2020 that were not yet issued an invitation. Invitations issued by the Department were not transferable.
Applications to be submitted by electronic means
In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 must have been submitted using electronic means (apply online).
An alternate application format would be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who were unable to apply online.
Applications received by the Department on or after the coming into force of these Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of foreign nationals, sponsors or authorized representatives who may submit an application by any other means that are made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions.
Conditions — sponsorship applications
In order to be processed, any sponsorship application referred to in these Instructions that is received in 2023 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the sponsorship application is made by a person who, having indicated — during the period during which they could do so — their interest in making a sponsorship application by means that have been made available by the Department for that purpose, has been invited to make the application;
- (b) the sponsorship application indicates the same information (name, date of birth, address, country of birth, copy of status in Canada document [including its number and must be one from the list of acceptable documents listed in Guide 5772 — Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents, made available on the website of the Department and as amended from time to time]) that was included with the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department, or, in the case of any difference in information between the interest to sponsor and the sponsorship application, the application includes an explanation of the reason for the change in information and satisfactory evidence that the application pertains to the same potential sponsor identified on the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department;
- (c) in the event that duplicate interest to sponsor forms were submitted, the sponsorship application is made in relation to an invitation that is based on the most recent interest to sponsor form accepted by the Department from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern daylight time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern standard time, on November 3, 2020;
- (d) the sponsorship application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (e) the sponsorship application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the sponsorship application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the sponsor an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Conditions — permanent resident visa applications
In order to be processed, any permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the permanent resident visa application is made by an applicant sponsored by a person whose sponsorship application met all of the conditions for processing sponsorship applications established by these Instructions;
- (b) the permanent resident visa application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (c) the permanent resident visa application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the permanent resident visa application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the applicant an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Number of applications to be accepted for processing in a year
Since the 2023 intake was conducted late in the calendar year, only applications received in 2023 will be accepted for processing in 2024.
These Instructions authorize a maximum of 15 000 sponsorship applications received in 2023 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2024 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024. This maximum may be amended in accordance with any subsequent Instructions the Minister may provide. Unless subsequent Instructions are given for the 2024 calendar year, no other permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents under the family class and no sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications will be accepted for processing in 2024.
Order for processing
Applications meeting the applicable conditions established by these Instructions are processed in the order in which they are received by the Department.
Humanitarian and compassionate requests
A request made under subsection 25(1) of the Act from outside Canada and that accompanies an application that was not accepted for processing under these Instructions will not be processed.
Disposition of applications
Any application that does not meet the applicable conditions established by these Instructions will be returned.
Coming into effect
These Instructions take effect on January 1, 2024.
Dated on December 27, 2023
The Hon. Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL
Appointments
- Associate Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services, to be styled Associate Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement
- Mills, Michael, Order in Council 2023-1231
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Chairperson of the Board of Directors
- O’Neil, Brian, Order in Council 2023-1295
- Chairperson of the Board of Directors
- Canada Industrial Relations Board
- Full-time Member
- Talic, Angela Michelle, Order in Council 2023-1154
- Full-time Member
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Directors of the Board of Management
- D’Souza, Timothy, Order in Council 2023-1173
- Losier, David O’Neill, Order in Council 2023-1174
- Directors of the Board of Management
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- Governors of the Council
- Kramer, David Theodore, Order in Council 2023-1175
- Peel, Tara Kathleen, Order in Council 2023-1176
- Governors of the Council
- Canadian Energy Regulator
- Chief Executive Officer
- Sletto, Tracy, Order in Council 2023-1289
- Chief Executive Officer
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Members of the Governing Council
- Caron, Mélanie, Order in Council 2023-1254
- Descôteaux, Annie, Order in council 2023-1255
- Juhas, Michal, Order in Council 2023-1256
- Kline, Cathy C., Order in Council 2023-1257
- Members of the Governing Council
- Canadian International Trade Tribunal
- Permanent Member
- Lee, Susana, Order in Council 2023-1239
- Permanent Member
- Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
- Part-time Member
- Donati, Leo, Order in Council 2023-1271
- Part-time Member
- Canadian Transportation Agency
- Member
- Victor, Marisa Eva, Order in Council 2023-1156
- Member
- Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, with the style and title of Chief Justice of British Columbia
- Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Yukon
- Marchand, The Hon. Leonard, Order in Council 2023-1193
- Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Yukon
- Court of Appeal for British Columbia
- Justice of Appeal
- Court of Appeal of Yukon
- Judge
- Winteringham, The Hon. Janet, Order in Council 2023-1182
- Judge
- Court of Appeal of Quebec
- Puisne Judge
- Harvie, The Hon. Judith, Order in Council 2023-1292
- Puisne Judge
- His Majesty’s Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba
- Judge
- Bowman, Brian T. D., Order in Council 2023-1294
- Judge
- House of Commons
- Clerk
- Janse, Eric, Order in Council 2023-1310
- Clerk
- Immigration and Refugee Board
- Part-time Member
- Farha, Soraya Hinde, Order in Council 2023-1152
- Part-time Member
- International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
- Canadian Commissioner
- Schleit, Kathryn, Order in Council 2023-1267
- Canadian Commissioner
- Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Quebec
- Jeannotte, Manon, Order in Council 2023-1191
- National Research Council of Canada
- President
- Davies, Mitch, Order in Council 2023-1244
- President
- Nunavut Court of Justice
- Deputy Judge
- Watchuck, The Hon. Jeanne E., Order in Council 2023-1306
- Deputy Judge
- Public Service Commission
- President
- Girard, Marie-Chantal, Order in Council 2023-1309
- President
- Superior Court of Justice of Ontario
- Judges
- Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Judges ex officio
- Des Rosiers, Nathalie, C.M., O.Ont., Order in Council 2023-1293
- McVey, Kerry Lee, Order in Council 2023-1180
- Judges ex officio
- Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal
- Judge
- Demers, Ian, Order in Council 2023-1181
- Judge
- Supreme Court of Yukon
- Deputy Judge
- O’Neil, The Hon. Lawrence I., Order in Council 2023-1307
- Deputy Judge
- Tax Court of Canada
- Associate Chief Justice
- Pelletier, The Hon. Anick, Order in Council 2023-1291
- Judges
- Bodie, J. Scott, Order in Council 2023-1178
- Cook, Edward M., Order in Council 2023-1179
- Associate Chief Justice
December 28, 2023
Rachida Lagmiri
Official Documents Registrar
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL
Senators called
Her Excellency the Governor General has been pleased to summon to the Senate of Canada, by letters patent under the Great Seal of Canada bearing the date of December 20, 2023:
- McBean, Marnie, O.C., of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, member of the Senate and a Senator for the Province of Ontario;
- Senior, Paulette, of Pickering, in the Province of Ontario, member of the Senate and a Senator for the Province of Ontario;
- Varone, Toni, of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, member of the Senate and a Senator for the Province of Ontario.
December 28, 2023
Rachida Lagmiri
Official Documents Registrar
INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY ACT
RADIOCOMMUNICATION ACT
Notice No. SPB-003-25 — Fee Order for Non-Competitive Local Licences
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (the Minister) is establishing fees for all spectrum licences issued under the Radiocommunication Act through a non-competitive local licensing process. The fees are established pursuant to section 19 of the Department of Industry Act.
The fees outlined in the fee schedule below were developed following a public consultation, which was presented for comment as per the requirements of the Department of Industry Act, through notice SPB-003-22, Consultation on a Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, Including Spectrum in the 3900-3980 MHz Band and Portions of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I.
As per decisions outlined in notice SPB-001-23, Decision on a Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, Including Spectrum in the 3900-3980 MHz Band and Portions of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, the Minister will issue spectrum licences using a non-competitive local licensing framework to authorize the use of radio frequencies in portions of certain spectrum bands. Fees for these licences are based on the amount of spectrum authorized in MHz and the geographic size of the licence area in km2, multiplied by a base fee rate. All fees are subject to the Service Fees Act, which requires the implementation of a periodic fee adjustment that is applied to all fees. Periodic fee adjustments are detailed on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Spectrum and telecommunications fees web page.
The fees set out below take effect as of April 1, 2024, and are applicable to all non-competitive local spectrum licences in accordance with the conditions of each licence. In all cases, applicable fees are payable in advance up to the end of the fiscal year or the expiry of the licence.
Fee schedule
The Minister fixes the following annual fees and prorated fees applicable to non-competitive local spectrum licences, effective as of April 1, 2024.
Interpretation
For the purpose of this fee schedule:
- Annual spectrum licence fee: A fee payable for a spectrum licence for a complete licensing year.
- Licence area: A defined geographic area specified in the spectrum licence.
- Licensing year: Begins April 1 and concludes March 31.
- Megahertz (MHz): 1 million hertz. A hertz is a unit for measuring radio frequencies.
- Metropolitan and urban area: Any area located within the metropolitan and urban Tier 5 service areas, respectively, as defined in DGSO-006-19, Decision on a New Set of Service Areas for Spectrum Licensing.
- Non-competitive local spectrum licence: A licence authorizing the use of radio frequencies in a limited geographic area according to SPB-001-23, Decision on a Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, Including Spectrum in the 3900-3980 MHz Band and Portions of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands.
- Prorated spectrum licence fee: A fee that is applicable for a period that is less than a full licensing year.
- Remote area: Any area within the remote Tier 5 service areas, as defined in DGSO-006-19, Decision on a New Set of Service Areas for Spectrum Licensing.
- Rural area: Any area within the rural Tier 5 service areas, as defined in DGSO-006-19, Decision on a New Set of Service Areas for Spectrum Licensing.
- Spectrum licence: A licence authorizing the use of radio frequencies (spectrum) in an area in accordance with certain conditions established.
Part I: Annual fees
The annual fees applicable for non-competitive local spectrum licences are set out below.
Spectrum licence fee for non-competitive local licences at frequencies below 10 GHz
For non-competitive local spectrum licences at frequencies below 10 GHz, the annual fee payable is the total assigned spectrum, multiplied by the licence area, multiplied by the base rate specified below ($/MHz/km2), for the assigned frequency band(s).
- $1.80 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local spectrum licences in metropolitan and urban areas;
- $0.45 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local spectrum licences in rural areas; and
- $0.01 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local licences in remote areas.
If any portion of a non-competitive local spectrum licence is located in a remote area, the fee base rate of $0.01 per MHz per km2 applies.
Otherwise, if any portion of a non-competitive local spectrum licence is located in a metropolitan or urban area, the fee base rate of $1.80 per MHz per km2 applies.
Spectrum licence fee for non-competitive local licences at frequencies of 10 GHz or above
For non-competitive local spectrum licences, the annual fee payable is the total assigned spectrum, multiplied by the licence area, multiplied by the base rate specified below ($/MHz/km2), for the assigned frequency band(s).
- $0.18 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local spectrum licences in metropolitan and urban areas;
- $0.045 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local spectrum licences in rural areas; and
- $0.001 per MHz per km2 for non-competitive local licences in remote areas.
If any portion of a non-competitive local spectrum licence is located in a remote area, the fee base rate of $0.001 per MHz per km2 applies.
Otherwise, if any portion of a non-competitive local spectrum licence is located in a metropolitan or urban area, the fee base rate of $0.18 per MHz per km2 applies.
Minimum spectrum licence fee
When the application of the annual fee calculation per licence results in an amount lower than $48, a minimum annual fee of $48 per licence will apply.
Part II: Prorated spectrum licence fees
For licences issued partway through a licensing year, fees will be calculated on the basis of 1/12th of the total applicable annual fee per calendar month until the end of the fiscal year (March 31) or the end of the licence term, whichever comes first. Any portion of a calendar month shall count as a full month. When the licence expires in 30 days or less, 1/12th of the total applicable annual fee will apply. When the application of a prorated (partial year) fee calculation would result in amounts lower than $4 per month, a minimum fee of $4 per month will apply.
Fees for all licences are rounded to the nearest cent.
December 21, 2023
François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
Appointment opportunities
We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. The Government of Canada has implemented an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.
We are equally committed to providing a healthy workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work to one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful and harassment-free work environment.
The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions.
Current opportunities
The following opportunities for appointments to Governor in Council positions are currently open for applications. Every opportunity is open for a minimum of two weeks from the date of posting on the Governor in Council appointments website.
| Position | Organization | Closing date |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Bank of Canada | |
| Director | Canada Foundation for Innovation | |
| Director | Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology | |
| Director | Canada Infrastructure Bank | |
| Chairperson | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Director | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| President | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization | |
| Director | Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization | |
| Director | Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse | |
| Director | Canadian Commercial Corporation | |
| Commissioner | Canadian Energy Regulator | |
| Director | Canadian Energy Regulator | |
| Chief Commissioner | Canadian Grain Commission | |
| Chief Commissioner | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Human Rights Tribunal | |
| Member | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| President | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Museum for Human Rights | |
| President | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | |
| Director | Canadian Race Relations Foundation | |
| Director | Canadian Tourism Commission | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board | |
| Member | Copyright Board | |
| Director | Export Development Canada | |
| Director | First Nations Financial Management Board | |
| Commissioner | First Nations Tax Commission | |
| Director (Federal) | Halifax Port Authority | |
| Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel | House of Commons | |
| Member | Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures | |
| Commissioner | International Joint Commission | |
| Chairperson | Laurentian Pilotage Authority | |
| Commissioner | Law Commission of Canada | |
| Parliamentary Librarian | Library of Parliament | |
| Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Chairperson | National Advisory Council on Poverty | |
| Member (Children’s Issues) | National Advisory Council on Poverty | |
| Commissioner | National Battlefields Commission | |
| Chairperson | National Gallery of Canada | |
| Chairperson | National Seniors Council | |
| Member | National Seniors Council | |
| Canadian Representative | North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization | |
| Canadian Representative | North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission | |
| Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner | Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner | |
| Director of Public Prosecutions | Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions | |
| Member | Public Service Pension Advisory Committee | |
| Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments | Senate | |
| Member | Social Sciences and Humanity Research Council | |
| Chairperson | Telefilm Canada | |
| Member | Telefilm Canada | |
| Director | VIA Rail Canada Inc. |