How can I get a copy of a Canadian visa refusal letter?

The Canadian Embassy would not have copies of such documents, and you should not need to include an earlier refusal letter in a new submission. Such information is retained in immigration files in Canada and a new visa application would be reviewed against what is in the records.

Your 2016 refusal letter from Canada would have indicated the reason(s) for the decision, a tick mark at the general points listed in it. However, it is a standard form letter, and doesn't identify the shortcomings in an application, or how to remedy them.

Canada's visa refusal letter almost always has a concluding statement:

Should you wish to reapply, I would suggest that you do so only if your situation has changed substantively or you have significant new information to submit.

That is suggesting that a new application may not be successful unless shortcomings have been addressed, and that comparisons would be made against an earlier application.

To address the two concerns raised comment, first, how to get a copy of a refusal letter. You can ask for information that concerns you. You must be in Canada to do so and, if you are not, you would have to hire a representative there.

Send a request [to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Access to Information Act (ATI)][1} to:

• Get information about IRCC
• Get information that would have been created by IRCC
• Get personal information submitted by a representative, where the client (with their consent) is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or here in Canada.

The fee for requests under the Access to information Act is $5.00.

To send a request you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or an individual or corporation currently in Canada.

Second, a generic example of Canada's refusal letter: