Today, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, is set to announce initiatives to enhance the nation’s immigration system. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a media advisory. Confirming that the minister will unveil the Strategic Immigration Review report and the plan for Canada’s immigration system improvement at 1:15 PM Eastern Time.
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IRCC’s Ongoing Transformation: A Look at the Yeates Report and Recent Changes
Earlier this year, IRCC commissioned a report from former Immigration Deputy Minister Neil Yeates. It was to assess the effectiveness of the department’s current structure in fulfilling its mandate. With a wealth of experience as a former Deputy Minister, Yeates had in-depth knowledge of IRCC’s operations.
Yeates’ report put forward numerous recommendations, including the restructuring of the department into a business line-based organization. Reforming the governance system, implementing a more robust planning and reporting framework. Additionally, fostering a supportive culture within IRCC.
Moreover, Journalist Paul Wells interviewed Current Deputy Minister Christiane Fox about the report. She disclosed that she had initiated a gradual process of making changes within the department starting in June 2023. Additionally, IRCC has begun organizing its operations along lines of business. Enabling better responsiveness to global events by aligning employees with the department’s various client services.
Moreover, a recent audit by Canada’s Office of the Auditor General (OAG) uncovered that in 2022, IRCC’s backlog of permanent resident applications fell below acceptable levels. The OAG offered recommendations to enhance application processing efficiency and meet service standards. These suggestions encompassed a review of service standards (the time IRCC specifies for application processing) and workload adjustments in regional offices.
2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan Set for Release by November 1st
Furthermore, ahead of the unveiling of the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, today’s announcement provides a glimpse into Canada’s immigration strategy.
Traditionally, they release this plan on or before November 1st in every non-election year. It details the number of permanent residents Canada intends to welcome over the next three years. Encompassing various classes and programs.
Additionally, Minister Miller recently shared with the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration his belief in maintaining Canada’s ambitious immigration targets. This suggests that IRCC will likely continue to handle a substantial workload, even as it undergoes structural changes.
