In a move that has sent shockwaves through the immigration sector, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a massive reduction of 3,300 positions over the next three years. The decision, confirmed in a statement to CTV News Ottawa, is expected to significantly impact immigration services, fueling concerns over mounting backlogs and delays for thousands of applicants.
The cuts, which will affect every sector and branch within IRCC—both domestically and internationally—will see job reductions across all levels, including executive positions.
“This is a devastating blow to the public services that families, businesses, and communities in Canada rely on,” said Sharon DeSousa, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). “These massive cuts will hurt families and businesses who depend on these critical services and make a growing immigration crisis even worse.”
Why Is IRCC Cutting Jobs?
The federal department claims these staffing changes are being made to align with reduced immigration levels and funding. The rapid expansion of IRCC during the pandemic and to support record immigration levels was funded temporarily, and the government now seeks to scale back.
“In October 2024, the Government of Canada announced its Immigration Levels Plan, which will see reduced immigration targets to focus on sustainable growth aligned with housing, infrastructure, and social services,” IRCC stated.
The department plans to cut its workforce in two phases:
- 80% through reducing staffing commitments and temporary workforce.
- 20% through direct layoffs of permanent employees via the Workforce Adjustment process.
The move comes as part of wider federal budget cuts, which aim to reduce 5,000 public service jobs through attrition over four years and slash $15.4 billion in public sector spending over the next five years.
Immigration Unions Sound the Alarm
Federal unions have strongly condemned the decision, warning that it will have dire consequences for immigrants, businesses, and Canada’s economy.
“The timing of this decision raises serious questions given the record-breaking backlog of immigration cases,” said Rubina Boucher, National President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU). “Families longing to reunite, businesses struggling with critical labor shortages, and a healthcare system desperate for skilled workers will all suffer from this reckless decision.”
A Looming Immigration Crisis?
According to union leaders, these cuts come at a time when:
- Backlogs for permanent residency, work permits, and spousal sponsorships are already at historic highs.
- Spousal sponsorship processing times have doubled from 12 months to 24 months.
- Businesses and healthcare sectors are desperately seeking skilled immigrants to fill critical labor gaps.
“This decision could not have come at a worse time,” said Jenny Kwan, NDP immigration critic. “For too long, families have suffered the pain of being separated. These cuts will only make that pain worse.”
More Federal Job Cuts Expected
The IRCC layoffs follow similar cuts at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which recently eliminated 600 temporary and contract employees in December 2024. The 2023 federal budget also included sweeping cuts to government spending, leading many to believe that more public sector layoffs are imminent.
“This is just the beginning,” unions warned in a joint statement. “Every department is being told to slash spending, and the IRCC cuts are the most significant so far. Canadians should brace for more.”
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