The government explains the delays as being at least in part due to a shortage of human resources to complete the reviews. There is no obligation on the government to process a permanent residence application within a certain period of time. Principal impacts of lack of permanent resident status Without permanent residence, Convention Refugees cannot benefit from family reunification, they face discrimination in access to education, employment and social assistance and they cannot travel abroad. No family reunification Family reunification, including reunification of spouses and children, is tied to permanent residence. Moreover, in the long term, disruption of family unity can destroy the family connection and make family reunification impossible.
Family separation increases post-traumatic stress disorders often experienced by refugees.
Refugees in limbo waiting for family reunification for many years suffer from anxio-depressive symptoms. Family separation also increases the financial problems faced by refugees as they frequently have to send money abroad to assist the family left behind. The stress caused by family separation and the absence of family support makes it very difficult for refugees to integrate in a society they are not familiar with. The Canadian government routinely turns down applications from Convention Refugees for travel documents unless they are also permanent residents. Even when a relative is sick or dying, travel documents are rarely supplied.