Canada approved over 17000 criminals to enter the country in the last 10 years

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Canada approved over 17000 criminals to enter the country in the last 10 years

TIL CreativesThousands with past convictions granted entry into Canada since 2014

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 Of those, nearly 70 percent were approved, while about 20 percent were denied and 10 percent were withdrawn.The approvals are part of a long-standing legal process built into Canada鈥檚 immigration system. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, foreign nationals with past convictions must demonstrate they鈥檝e been rehabilitated and pose no threat to Canadian society.鈥淐anadians鈥 safety will always be our top priority,鈥 IRCC spokesperson Remi Lariviere told CTV News. 鈥淭hese decisions are made by experienced immigration officers based on legal criteria and a detailed review of the facts.鈥滺ow to qualify?Live EventsTo qualify, an applicant must wait at least five years after completing their sentence and prove they鈥檝e 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.鈥淭he vast majority of these offences are pretty minor,鈥 she said on CTV Your Morning. 鈥淲hen you hear these terms like 鈥榝oreign criminals,鈥 it sounds very scary.鈥 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. 鈥淭he US tends to focus on crimes with moral turpitude. Canada is much more black and white.鈥漇ome applicants seek rehabilitation proactively, just to be eligible in the future. 鈥淚鈥檝e had people apply just so they know they can come back someday,鈥 Desloges said.While critics argue the process lacks transparency, IRCC insists it鈥檚 not about 鈥渇orgiving鈥 crimes, but ensuring applicants meet legal and safety thresholds.鈥淭hese cases have helped reunite families and allowed athletes, artists, and loved ones into Canada,鈥 said Lariviere. 鈥淏ut approval does not mean automatic entry.鈥(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onCanada immigrationcriminal rehabilitation CanadaCrime rateCanada citizenshipCanadian immigration newscanadaimmigration and refugee protection actRefugees(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

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