31/01/2023
The Citizenship and Immigration Committee (CIMM) has published a report examining the backlog and processing times of immigration applications by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Comprising 12 members of the Canadian Parliament (MPs), the committee ensures representation from each major political party. Its primary mandate is to oversee federal immigration and multiculturalism policies, advocating for government intervention in pressing matters. Notably, the committee successfully urged the government to halt the deportation of 700 Indian students who had received false letters of admission.
Recent discussions have centered around application processing times and the growing backlog. In 2022, IRCC faced a substantial backlog, with nearly 2.7 million immigration applications in its inventory. The increased volume can be attributed largely to measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic
On February 1, 2022, the committee approved a resolution to investigate the backlog and processing times for all immigration streams at IRCC. As per the CIMM motion, the examination encompasses the assessment of efforts to diminish backlogs and processing times, initiatives aimed at prioritizing the processing of applications from vulnerable immigrants stuck in the backlog, and strategies for modernizing the existing immigration system by the government..
Precise and fair processing durations
The publication titled “Endemic Immigration Backlogs: In Demand Yet Unprocessed” was unveiled on December 14. It presents numerous suggestions for enhancing Canada’s immigration system as a whole, with a significant focus on addressing the existing backlog.
One crucial aspect involves establishing precise and fair processing timelines. The report suggests that IRCC should establish a deadline for resolving the existing backlog and implement accountability measures to guarantee timely processing for all applications, not just those submitted more recently.
The statement suggests that IRCC may occasionally set aside older applications to uphold processing standards and create the perception of improved processing times. It highlights the lack of fairness in this approach and proposes that IRCC establish a deadline for handling older backlog applications. Additionally, it advocates for the transparent posting of accurate processing times by IRCC on its website.
In the recently unveiled document titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future,” issued by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) as part of its new strategy aimed at enhancing the transparency and accessibility of Canada’s immigration system, the department has expressed its intention to reassess anticipated processing times for increased precision.
Shift to digitalization
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) consistently highlights its ongoing initiatives to modernize and digitize the immigration system in Canada. According to the CIMM report, the shift to online platforms has generally proven advantageous for users. However, the report notes that the deployment of these platforms lacked sufficient prior troubleshooting.
It suggests that IRCC conduct an audit of the online portal process to identify and promptly rectify any bugs or errors. Additionally, it advises the department to engage with users of the online systems and portals to effectively address recurring glitches and technical issues through proper troubleshooting.
Transparency
The report strongly suggests establishing an ombudsperson to supervise program enhancements and guarantee the implementation and enforcement of changes. According to the current findings, the report highlights the absence of a legal or practical obligation to address identified issues, even though consultations between IRCC and stakeholders may reveal problematic areas.
Repeatedly, the report emphasizes the need for IRCC to take measures to ensure applicants receive comprehensive updates on their applications and understand the department’s final decision-making process. It proposes granting applicants access to immigration officer notes regarding the final decision, facilitating the resolution of any issues contributing to a negative outcome.
At present, applicants are required to file an Access to Information and Privacy Request to obtain officer notes, a process that not only hinders the application timeline for clients but also contributes to an increased workload for IRCC.
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