Canada’s immigration system is under further strain as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced 3,300 job cuts under the government’s Refocusing Government Spending Initiative. The decision, criticised by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), has left workers in limbo and raised fears of worsening immigration backlogs.
IRCC has not revealed which roles will be affected, stating that more details will be shared in mid-February. In a statement on the PSAC website, PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa said, “These massive cuts will hurt families and businesses who rely on these critical public services and make a growing immigration crisis even worse. Sweeping public service cuts always hurt Canada’s most vulnerable populations and leave thousands of workers in limbo.”
IRCC workers process citizenship, permanent residency, and passport applications, as well as conduct interviews. Last month, immigration processing times reached record backlogs. CEIU National President Rubina Boucher warned, “Families longing to reunite, businesses grappling with labour shortages, and a healthcare system desperate for skilled workers will all suffer the consequences of this reckless decision.”
The department’s workforce had grown significantly in recent years, from 7,800 employees in 2019 to 13,092 in 2024. However, the IRCC statement noted: “In October 2024, the Government of Canada announced its Immigration Levels Plan for the next three years, which will see reduced immigration levels resulting in a short-term pause in our population growth to achieve more sustainable long-term growth.”
The unions have urged the government to replace costly outsourcing contracts with in-house expertise to strengthen the immigration system and minimise the impact of the cuts.
These job reductions are part of broader federal budget cuts. The 2023 budget outlined $15 billion in spending reductions over four years, with an additional $3 billion announced in the Fall Economic Statement. Other departments, including the Canada Revenue Agency, have also been affected, with 600 contract workers laid off in November.
DeSousa called on the government to prioritise public services, saying, “Cutting services isn’t just bad for workers—it impacts everyone in Canada who depends on these services daily.”
The cuts come at a critical time, with the immigration system already struggling under existing delays. Immigration agencies warn the staff reductions will further slow application processing, creating longer wait times for those planning to study, work, or immigrate to Canada.
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