What does “Essential Needs” mean?

The sponsor must undertake to provide the sponsored family members with:

• Food, clothing, shelter and other basic requirements of everyday living; and
• Dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The obligation to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored person(s) will only arise if the sponsored person(s) are unable to provide for these needs on their own.