
Canada
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In an effort to revert to pre-pandemic operational levels, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 25% over the next three years, amounting to approximately 3,300 positions.
This move has raised significant concerns regarding potential delays in visa processing, as the agency navigates a challenging landscape amid changing immigration policies. Once staffed with over 13,000 employees as of March 2024, an increase from 7,900 in 2019, the IRCC will implement workforce cuts through planned eliminations, the ending of temporary contracts, and short-term staffing adjustments.
Approximately 20% of the reductions will entail permanent adjustments, with affected employees being given at least 30 days' notice. Immigration experts warn that these staffing reductions are likely to exacerbate existing delays within Canada's visa processing system. Applicants for citizenship, permanent residency, and other immigration-related documents may face longer wait times, which could be particularly detrimental for families seeking to reunite, businesses reliant on skilled international workers, and healthcare sectors already grappling with labour shortages.
Rubina Boucher, National President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), has characterized these cuts as “reckless,” emphasizing their potential ramifications not only for individuals but also for the broader Canadian economy. Compounding these issues, the Canadian government has also revised its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, significantly reducing targets for permanent residency while instituting caps for temporary residents.
The new admissions targets set a goal of 395,000 for 2025, decreasing to 380,000 in 2026 and further to 365,000 by 2027. This marks a considerable drop from the previous aim of accommodating 500,000 permanent residents annually by 2025. In a first for Canada, the government is now controlling targets for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers, limiting their numbers to 5% of the national population by the end of 2026.
These adjustments aim to address systemic challenges such as housing shortages, infrastructure limitations, and increased pressure on social services but are anticipated to further delay visa processing, creating additional hurdles for applicants. The decision to lower immigration targets in tandem with workforce reductions has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups and unions.
In a joint statement with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Boucher cautions that prolonged delays could create significant gaps in Canada’s labour force and complicate the immigration experience for applicants. Visa applicants are urged to prepare for potential delays and to take proactive measures, such as applying early and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of required documentation.