Every year, thousands of Canadians and permanent residents are joined by a spouse or partner who settles permanently in Canada through the family reunification immigration program. In 2013, 43,037 spouse and partner family class immigrants settled in Canada, 58% of whom were female.[1] The vast majority of these sponsorship relationships are based on mutual respect and commitment, with both partners contributing to Canadian society.

Unfortunately, there are also sponsorships that are not successful, either for the sponsor, the sponsored spouse, or for Canadian society. Sometimes the sponsor is duped and finds out after the fact that their partner used the relationship solely for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident status in Canada. Sometimes both parties are complicit in using sponsorship to circumvent normal immigration channels. Although there may be many reasons for unsuccessful spousal sponsorship, this report is focused on the situation when sponsorship is unsuccessful for the sponsored spouse; in particular, when the spouse suffers abuse at the hands of her sponsor and/or his family.[2] The report will examine actions the government has taken or plans to take to strengthen the protection of women in our immigration system and to ensure vulnerable spouses are protected and that they have the skills needed to succeed independently.

The report is comprised of four chapters. The first explains the legislative and regulatory framework for the spousal sponsorship program, as well as federal measures intended to prevent the abuse of sponsored spouses, and the recourse available to these spouses in the event of sponsorship breakdown due to abuse. The second chapter summarizes what the Committee heard from witnesses concerning the factors that contribute to sponsored spouses’ vulnerability to abuse and the difficulty in leaving abusive situations. Witnesses also made many recommendations to the Committee on how to mitigate sponsored spouses’ vulnerability and enable them to flee an abusive relationship and establish themselves successfully in Canada – these are presented in chapter three. The Committee’s recommendations conclude the report in chapter four.