Recent discussions surrounding the closure of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2026 do not provide the complete picture.

While Ministerial Instructions issued by the Canadian government do state the temporary closure of new applications for the program this year, they also leave room for the possibility of a new intake if further instructions are issued. This pattern has been observed in previous years as well.

This article delves into the similarities and differences between current and past ministerial instructions governing the PGP, and the potential implications for the program in 2026.

Ministerial instructions play a crucial role in outlining how government programs and initiatives are managed.

Background Context

Ministerial instructions announcing the closure of new application intake for the PGP have been issued in 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022, all during the operational years of the program.

The PGP operates uniquely compared to other immigration programs, with candidate profile creation, invitation issuance, and application intake occurring once annually for a specific duration.

Due to the program’s limited operational window, instructions typically close new intake at the beginning of each year, followed by subsequent instructions later in the year that confirm a new intake cycle.

Comparison with Previous Instructions

Comparing this year’s ministerial instructions for the PGP with previous years reveals three key themes:

1) Consistent Language on Application Intake Restrictions

Each set of instructions maintains similar language, indicating that no new permanent resident visa applications for parents/grandparents, or related sponsorship applications, will be processed until further instructions are provided.

These instructions also reference the continuation of applications from the previous year for processing in the current cycle, aligning with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s annual pattern for the PGP.

2) Consistency in Future Intake Possibility

Previous instructions, such as those from January 2024 and January 2025, include conditional statements regarding the potential for a new intake cycle. While the language remains consistent, there may be subtle nuances worth noting.