Budget 2006 - Dateline Ottawa

Budget 2006
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee
"This budget delivers on the Government's commitment to reduce the Right of Permanent Residence Fee to help immigrants and their families with the costs of starting a new life in Canada. The fee will be reduced from its current level of $975 to $490 effective on May 2, 2006. In addition, the Government will provide partial refunds to those who have already paid the $975 fee but have not been granted permanent resident status or have not yet arrived in Canada. The cost of this initiative in foregone revenue is $224 million over two years."

As I understand it, the budget has to be voted on in Parliament, but it is expected to pass.