The Problem of Applications
Awaiting Processing
Currently, about a million applications are waiting in line, of which 300 thousand are for the Skilled Worker program. The rest apparently relate to those under the family sponsorship program.
I think the measures to cancel applications will primarily affect those in the family sponsorship category. They may also be applied to a large pool of Skilled Worker applications filed several years ago. And this can be explained. However, it is unclear why they would reject those who applied recently, in accordance with the list of priority occupations, which was developed precisely to reduce the shortage of specialists in certain fields. It is quite possible that these applications will be distributed among the provinces.
How likely is it that this initiative will be implemented? And will the government go for it, since many ethical issues will arise, which are taken quite seriously in Canada. On the other hand, the situation with applications waiting in line has become a big problem, and it is unlikely to be resolved without cutting the Gordian knot. There is the example of New Zealand, which at one time acted in the same way, rejecting all at once those whose applications were waiting in line.
True, there is a reason that could sway the government in favor of another solution to the problem. Namely, increasing the quotas for the number of immigrants accepted under the Skilled Worker program. Canada is currently facing the problem of an aging population, as a large layer of specialists are leaving the labor market for retirement and need to be replaced.
For example, just the province of British Columbia, whose population is only 8% of the country's total, at the current rates of population growth and immigration will experience a shortage of 1 million workers in the next 10 years. In the province of Ontario, these figures are significantly higher.
A shortage of labor could become a threat to Canada's economic prosperity. Therefore, when discussing the future of the country, the question of increasing the annual quota for the number of immigrants accepted, primarily young specialists, constantly arises. So either the government will be forced to increase the overall quotas for the number of immigrants accepted, or it must redistribute quotas among programs, giving many more places for specialists and businessmen.
Family Sponsorship
Another important government initiative regarding the fight against fraud in immigration should be noted. According to statements by Mr. Kenny, significant changes will soon affect those who are under the family sponsorship program as a spouse of a Canadian resident. In particular, these individuals will not have permanent resident status in Canada for the first two years. It will be granted only after two years of cohabitation in Canada.
If it is proven that the marriage was fraudulent, the sponsored person will not receive permanent resident status and will be deported. In addition, persons who have gone through the family sponsorship program will not be eligible to sponsor family members for 5 years after obtaining permanent resident status. This initiative has already been put into effect.
Elena RYABININA.
