b'IMMIGRATIONIMMIGRATION PROCESSINGBy Colin SingerCERC urges the government to cutimmigration application processing timesD elays in getting skilled workersbefore that time have yet to be processed.tion states. In 83 per cent of organizations, into the country are hurtingIt is unclear why earlier applicationscancelled or delayed projects are the most Canadian businesses, saysremain backlogged. common consequence of the delays, notes the Canadian Employeethe report. Unless addressed, increasing Relocation Council (CERC),CERC is calling for greater transparencyprocessing times are likely to have a nega-urging Ottawa to hire more staff andand the creation of a Trusted Employertive impact on our business operations invest in better tech to process immigra- Program to ensure employers receivewithin the next year.tion applications.efficient processing that meets the needs of Canadian businesses. The organiza- FIVE SECTORSImmigration, Refugees and Citizenshiption has already been in discussions withThe companies and organizations who Canada (IRCC) should resume normalOttawa about the creation of such aare members of CERC and who partici-staffing levels, as we understand that thereprogram for years. pated in its survey for this report come was a substantial number of employeespredominantly from five sectors:who were unable to work during theMany Canadian employers are prepared summer of 2020, recommends CERC. to pay a premium to get faster access toTechnologyskilled immigrant workers because the In its latest report, The Impact ofprocessing time for temporary foreignManufacturing and Manufactured ProductsProcessing Delays of Work Permitsworkers is currently about four months, and Immigration Visas on Canadianstates CERC. When asked if they would Government / Health Care / Education Employers, the organization claims thebe willing to pay an additional fee for Natural Resources, andIRCCs processing and review teamsexpedited processing of applications, should be expanded to meet Canadianranging between 10 and 25 per cent Construction / Engineering Services.economic demands and a growing backlogabove current processing feesto cover in applications.additional government costs89 perForty-four per cent of them reported using cent of respondents answered favourably,economic immigration programs to fill While it appears the government isreports CERC. jobs. Half of these employers recruited making efforts to tackle processing timesmore than 30 temporary foreign workers for initial applications, this has not beenIn addition to hiring more staff, Ottawaevery year.uniform throughout the system, theshould also take steps to improve the tech-report states. Applications filed in latenology used to track and provide up-to-the- In its report, CERC also calls on Ottawa October/early November 2020 haveminute information about the status of theto waive the need for immigrants to been processed, while applications filedapplications for immigration, the organiza- provide biometrics in countries where Spring 2021PERSPECTIVES21'