Skip to main content

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

r. 1 Definitions

  • PART 1 Interpretation and Application
  • DIVISION 1 Interpretation
  • Definitions

Last verified: June 2026 ยท Source: justice.gc.ca

The law says

IRPR r. 1
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)

(1)The definitions in this subsection apply in the Act and in these Regulations. common-law partner means, in relation to a person, an individual who is cohabiting with the person in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year. (conjoint de fait) excessive demand means

  • (a)a demand on health services or social services for which the anticipated costs exceed triple the average Canadian per capita health services and social services costs over a period of five consecutive years following the most recent medical examination required under paragraph 16(2)(b) of the Act; or
  • (b)a demand on health services or social services that would add to existing waiting lists and would increase morbidity or the mortality rate in Canada as a result of an inability to provide timely services to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. (fardeau excessif) health services means any health services โ€“ including the provision of devices related to the services, laboratory services and the supply of pharmaceuticals โ€“ for which more than half of the funds are contributed by governments, either directly or through publicly funded agencies. (services de santรฉ) social services means residential or institutional care, including the provision of devices related to the care, that is recommended by a health professional and for which more than half of the funds are contributed by governments, either directly or through publicly funded agencies. (services sociaux) student[Repealed, SOR/2014-14, s. 1] studies[Repealed, SOR/2014-14, s. 1] study permit[Repealed, SOR/2014-14, s. 1]

Interpretation โ€” common-law partner

(2)For the purposes of the Act and these Regulations, an individual who has been in a conjugal relationship with a person for at least one year but is unable to cohabit with the person, due to persecution or any form of penal control, shall be considered a common-law partner of the person.

Definition of family member

(3)For the purposes of the Act, other than section 12 and paragraph 38(2)(d), and for the purposes of these Regulations, other than paragraph 7.1(3)(a) and sections 159.1 and 159.5, family member in respect of a person means

  • (a)the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
  • (b)a dependent child of the person or of the personโ€™s spouse or common-law partner; and
  • (c)a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b).

Provisions this one cites

IRPA Authority

Amendment History (2)
  • SOR/2004-217, s. 1; SOR/2009-163, s. 1(E); SOR/2012-154, s. 1; SOR/2014-14, s. 1; SOR/2014-140, s. 1(F); SOR/2015-77, s. 1
  • SOR/2022-39, s. 1

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Sections numbered under r. 1

Each of these is its own section of the Regulations, numbered after section 1.

IRPR r. 1.1

Definition of agent โ€” section 148 of the Act

Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)

What that means

This rule says who counts as a carrier's agent. If you handle bookings or other work as a representative of a vehicle's owner, operator or charterer, the law treats you as its agent. That vehicle can be a plane, ship, bus or train. The carrier duties then land on you too, whether or not you are a contractor. One duty is wider. For passenger information, the rule also catches charterers and the people who run the reservation system.

The law says

(1)For the purposes of section 148 of the Act, agent includes any person โ€” whether or not an independent contractor โ€” who provides services as a representative of a vehicle owner, operator or charterer.

Definition of agent โ€” paragraph 148(1)(d) of the Act

(2)For the purposes of paragraph 148(1)(d) of the Act, agent includes, in addition to a person referred to in subsection (1), a charterer and an owner or operator of a reservation system.