Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced plans to cut 3,300 jobs over the next three years. This decision aims to reduce spending and return staffing levels to pre-pandemic numbers.
The federal department revealed the cuts in an email to employees, describing its current budget situation and outlining the impact on staff. The job reductions will affect every sector and branch of the department. Notifications will begin in February.
Approximately 80 percent of the cuts will be achieved by ending planned hiring and temporary contracts. The remaining 20 percent will involve workforce adjustments, impacting permanent employees. Those with term contracts could see their agreements end early. Affected employees will receive at least 30 days’ notice.
The IRCC experienced significant growth recently, expanding its workforce to address global crises such as the pandemic. Staffing levels increased from 7,900 employees in 2019 to 13,100 in March 2024. The planned cuts will reduce the department’s workforce by 25 percent, returning it to 2021 levels.
The government has required IRCC and other federal departments to lower their spending back to pre-pandemic levels. As part of this initiative, IRCC will cut $336 million in spending, encompassing salaries and operational costs, by 2028. The federal budgets prioritize decreasing public service expenditures amid Canada’s $61.9 billion deficit.
Public service unions have condemned the decision, cautioning that it may lead to extensive repercussions. Employees at IRCC handle citizenship, permanent residency, and passport applications. Anticipated delays in these services will likely increase because of the diminished workforce.
Recently, Canada revealed plans to reduce immigration levels for the next three years. This initiative aims to halt population growth while prioritizing long-term development. The IRCC states that staffing reductions align with this change and the move toward permanent funding.
The reductions might have wider implications for families, businesses, and the healthcare system. Longer processing times could delay family reunifications, worsen labor shortages, and impact the availability of skilled workers.
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