Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says the government has met its goal of shortening wait times for those hoping to sponsor their spouse from abroad.
Hussen says the backlog of applications now sits at 15,000, down from 75,000 in 2016.
WATCH: State of the Union: Trump talks immigration, asks to close loopholes
Processing times are 12 months for those who filed an application prior to December 2016, while applications before that date take about 26 months.
- Former Durham police officer faces new sex assault charge in 2nd case: SIU
- Ottawa unveils $100M steel shipping rebate program as trade war continues
- Toronto man pleads guilty to wire fraud after posing as pilot for free flights
- Why information officer kept camera rolling even as he fled B.C. wildfire with family
Get breaking National news
The Liberals had made family reunification programs an immigration priority upon coming to office in 2015 and have been gradually increasing the number of newcomers admitted in those programs since.
In 2018, admissions are projected to hit about 66,000.
Hussen says the government understands how important it is to reunite couples and it also makes for a stronger country.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.