Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to reduce its workforce by about 3,300 positions, or 25 percent of its total staff, over the next three years.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, commonly referred to as IRCC, has recently made a significant announcement regarding its staffing plans, revealing intentions to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,300 positions, which equates to about 25 percent of its total staff, over the next three years.
This decision was communicated to employees through an email detailing the department's "budget situation" and the anticipated impact on staffing levels, a message that IRCC later confirmed in discussions with CBC. The email outlined that while the specific individuals affected by these cuts remain uncertain, the reductions will encompass every sector and branch within the department.
Notifications to those impacted are expected to begin in mid-February. The communication indicated that about 80 percent of the job reductions would be realized by eliminating planned staffing, temporary positions, and other short-term commitments. The remaining 20 percent of cuts will necessitate a workforce adjustment process, which will specifically affect indeterminate employees.
Although certain functions have been earmarked for cuts, individual positions have not yet been specified, and some term contracts may be terminated prematurely, with affected employees receiving at least 30 days' notice. The rationale behind these cuts stems from the rapid expansion of IRCC in recent years, which was primarily a response to global crises, including the pandemic.
This growth was heavily reliant on temporary funding. As immigration has played a crucial role in bolstering Canada’s economy, it has simultaneously exerted pressure on housing, infrastructure, and social services. According to data from the Treasury Board, IRCC's workforce grew from approximately 5,900 employees in 2014 to around 13,100 by the end of March 2024. The planned cuts will revert staffing levels back to those observed in 2021, representing a significant contraction from the current figures.
In October, the Canadian government announced a reduction in immigration levels over the next three years, which is expected to lead to a temporary pause in population growth, with a strategic focus on long-term growth. IRCC has stated that its staffing adjustments are intended to align with these reduced immigration levels and the shift to permanent funding. The department, alongside others, has been directed to revert its spending to pre-pandemic levels. This move comes in the context of a growing federal deficit, which reached $61.9 billion last month, and has been foreshadowed in recent federal budgets.
At the departmental level, IRCC's planned spending reductions for the fiscal years 2025 to 2026 begin at $237 million and escalate to a total reduction of $336 million by 2027 to 2028. These cuts encompass both salary and non-salary expenditures. The internal message conveyed to IRCC staff emphasized the necessity of adapting to a constrained budget moving forward. The announcement has elicited strong reactions from public service unions. Rubina Boucher, the national president of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union, expressed her shock over the news, voicing concerns about the potential repercussions for families and businesses across Canada. She highlighted the critical role that IRCC employees play in processing essential documents, such as citizenship and permanent resident applications, as well as passports.
Boucher warned that families hoping to reunite, businesses facing labor shortages, and a healthcare system in need of skilled workers could all be adversely affected by what she described as a reckless decision. Legal expert Tamara Mosher-Kuczer also expressed her dismay at the impending cuts, emphasizing the already lengthy processing times for immigration documents.
She predicted that these reductions would exacerbate an already overburdened system, leading to even longer wait times for applicants, which she characterized as "ridiculous." In summary, IRCC's announcement of substantial job cuts reflects a broader strategy to align its operations with reduced immigration levels and fiscal constraints following a period of significant growth. The implications of these cuts are expected to resonate across various sectors, impacting families, businesses, and the overall efficiency of Canada's immigration system.
Source: Canada.ca