Maple News reports that Canada’s Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) has issued a detailed set of recommendations aimed at reducing immigration processing delays and clearing longstanding backlogs at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The committee, composed of 12 Members of Parliament from all major political parties, plays a key oversight role in shaping immigration and multiculturalism policy in Canada. Its latest study, adopted in February 2022 and published on December 14, 2023, addresses the growing public frustration over delayed immigration processing times, particularly those worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. At its peak in 2022, IRCC’s backlog contained nearly 2.7 million applications across different immigration streams.
Titled “In Demand Yet Unprocessed: Endemic Immigration Backlogs,” the new report calls for swift and equitable reforms. One of the key concerns raised is that IRCC prioritizes newer applications to meet performance standards while older files are left idle, causing disparity and lack of transparency. The committee recommends that IRCC set clear deadlines for processing backlogged applications and implement accountability mechanisms to ensure all files, regardless of age, are processed fairly.
The report also critiques IRCC’s reporting of processing times, urging the department to publish accurate, up-to-date estimates so applicants can plan accordingly. According to its recently unveiled strategy, “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future,” IRCC acknowledges the need to revisit and improve how processing times are communicated.
Digitization was another major focus. While IRCC has moved many application systems online to modernize services, the committee found that these digital platforms were launched without sufficient testing. Although the transition to digital processing has generally benefitted users, the lack of adequate preparatory work caused additional delays and confusion.
The report emphasizes that IRCC must be more proactive in ensuring that modernization doesn’t compromise service quality. Recommendations include conducting user testing before rolling out changes, maintaining multiple communication channels for applicants with limited tech access, and improving system responsiveness.
The committee’s analysis also highlights the importance of prioritizing vulnerable groups, including refugees and individuals in humanitarian streams, whose applications often suffer the longest delays.
Maple News will continue monitoring how IRCC implements these recommendations and whether these reforms succeed in building a more efficient, equitable, and modern immigration system.