CIC Overburdened: No More Immigration Applications

Obvious Backlog Since Years: It is evident that Canada could soon put a halt to the number of immigrants it allows to enter the country as workers in various categories. The reason for the move may be accredited to the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are willing to move to Canada and already there is a huge backlog of applications.

Federal Minister for immigration, Jason Kenney told an audience when addressing them at the Armenian Community Center in Montreal that one of the main challenges that his Ministry is facing at the moment is the task of clearing the backlog of applicants as a part of their plans for the years ahead.

Up to a Decade of Lingering Hope: "There's an unlimited number of people who want to come to Canada," he said also adding that around 255,000 applicants would be accepted this year, which is down from the previous year’s figure of around 280,000. He emphasized that the department had hundreds and thousands of applications more than they could possibly process. He also said that it is stupid and unfair for the people applying to migrate to Canada that they be made to wait for seven, eight or even nine years for them to get the nod or the reject.

The Great Migration of the Two Legged Kind: The Minister was given authority two years ago, for determining the capping limit on the number of applications that can be accepted. This year, Kenney has decided that the number of applications that can be accepted be limited to just around 10,000 in the federal Skilled Workers Program. However, he also clarified that Canada would still accept 65,000 skilled workers for entry in to Canada. Most of the applications to be considered out of these would be from the backlog that was already created. Hence, being fair to the applicants that have been waiting so long to get into Canada for a shot at a better life.

Consultations began across the country around a fortnight ago considering a solution to arrive at a ‘right mix’ of applicants that can be processed and subsequently accepted that can enhance the economy of Canada in the long run. Also important on the list of priorities of the minister is the question of how best to deal with the question of an aging labour force and at the same time not burdening the country’s housing healthcare and education systems because of the new arrivals.

In Hope of a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow: Close to 40,000 refugees, in both privately sponsored and assisted by government categories are already waiting to enter Canada. And the list, especially applications from the dark continent is growing with every passing day.