Quebec private refugee sponsorship applications on hold until next summer

Quebec residents won't be ableto apply to sponsor a refugee until at least next summer, under a decision confirmed Thursday by the provincial government.

A spokesperson for Immigration Minister David Heurtel said the province is extending its suspension of new applications until at least June 30, 2018.

The program was originally suspended last January due to delays in processing the cases.

At the time, more than 10,000 applications hadbeen accepted by the province and were awaiting approval fromthe federal government. Three-quarters of those applicants wereSyrian refugees.

Theprogram has historically helped reunite families, and the delays can be painful for people waiting on both in and outside of Canada hoping to reunite, said Paul Clarke, executive director of ActionsRfugisMontral.

"People have been calling us and asking, 'When is it reopening?'" he said. "What kind of a Christmas message is it to these folks who want to sponsor a refugee?"

Clarke said the process for these people to come to Quebec can take up to five years, andthis suspension on new files only adds to their struggles.

"You might say, 'Well, what's another six months if it's going to be years anyway, who cares?'Well there's pain and suffering for the refugee. And something we don't always think about is the pain and suffering for the family members who are here."