Immigration Backlog

March 17, 2008

OTTAWA – This past week, the Government tabled amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. These amendments are aimed at reducing the immigration application backlog inherited from the previous Liberal governments as well as shortening wait times for newcomers who want to come to Canada.

The Conservative Government wants immigrants to succeed and would like to see more immigrants come to Canada. In fact, last year, Canada welcomed the highest number of newcomers in its history – 429,649 - surpassing the previous high in 1911.

“We want families to be reunited faster and skilled workers to get here sooner,” said local M.P. Guy Lauzon.

In Budget 2008, the Conservative Government allocated $22 million over two years, growing to $37 million per year after that to help reduce the backlog and improve the immigration system

Canada is losing much needed new immigrant talents to other countries. Skilled workers are currently waiting up to 6 years to come to Canada, compared to 6 months in Australia and New Zealand, two of our key competitors for global talent. When they Liberals were in office, they allowed the backlog to balloon from 50,000 to over 800,000.

“This backlog is unacceptable. It is not fair to immigrants who want to come to our country, families here who are waiting for loved ones to join them and to the employers who want to hire skilled workers. This Government is acting to help immigrants,” said Lauzon.