b'IMMIGRATIONvisa application centres have been closed.There is uncertainty as to when the fullcountries where VACs are closed, or The federal government has alreadycomplement of biometric collection servicesalternatively just collect biometrics at the taken steps in that direction. On Sept. 22,in Canada and overseas will reopenport of entry.the Canadian government announcedand operate at full capacity, the IRCC permanent residence applicants who previ- announced in a statement. In the mean- Despite its call for faster processing times, ously provided biometrics within the lasttime, there is a growing inventory of appli- the think tank is also warning Ottawa to 10 years would not need to do so againcations for permanent residence that cannotavoid cutting corners when it comes to because of the closure of VACs due to thebe finalized because applicants are unablepublic safety during the pandemic. We COVID-19 global pandemic. to fulfill the biometrics requirement. would encourage the government to use the scientific tools available to monitor BIOMETRICS EXEMPTION the spread of COVID-19 with travel and The move to waive biometrics for perma- expand programs such as the Alberta testing CERC calls on Ottawanent residence applicants follows a movepilot and use fast-result type COVID-testing by the government in June to waive thekits to ensure travellers are screened prop-to waive the needneed to submit biometrics for somebuterly upon arrival, states the organization.not alltemporary foreign workers. Having more concrete quarantine exemp-for immigrants toThat exemption applied to occupations intion criteria (including testing criteria pre- the following fields: and post-arrival) could also help reduce the possibility of individuals who meet provide biometrics inrequirements for a quarantine exemptionAgricultural and agri-foodfrom inadvertently spreading COVID-19 countries where visa Healthcare, and in Canada. application centresTruck drivers. This article first appeared in Canada Immi-gration News on January 8, 2021 and was The latest recommendation from CERCreprinted, with some adaptation, with permission have been closed is that Ottawa waive biometrics for allof the publication.PERSPECTIVESP R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S D I R E C T O R YACCOMMODATIONS Quality Move Management Inc. 3TRC Global Mobility, Inc.4 Corporate Stays Digitalqmm.comtrcglobalmobility.comcorporatestays.com United Van Lines (Canada) Ltd. Weichert Workforce MobilityDigital Outside Back Cover EXTENDED STAYwww.uvl.ca www.weichertworkforcemobility.comLes Suites - Ottawa.19REAL ESTATEVEHICLE RELOCATION www.les-suites.comThe Lind Realty Team Inc., L. Hansens Forwarding Ltd. 15 MORTGAGE SERVICES Brokerage.11www.lhf.com CIBC Group Mortgage Plan 20lindrealty.cacibc.com Snowbirds Auto Connection Ltd.7 RELOCATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES snowbirdsautoconnection.comMOVING & STORAGE SERVICES RELONATInside Front CoverVEHICLE TRANSPORTATION Atlas Van Lines (Canada) Ltd.www.relonat.com .Inside Back CoverLivingston International 19 www.atlasvanlines.ca SIRVA, Inc. Digitalhttps://vehicletransportation.ca/ca.sirva.comSnowbirds Auto Connection Ltd.7 snowbirdsautoconnection.com22PERSPECTIVES Spring 2021'