Canadian Government releases Budget 2022 on Immigration

In the next five years, Canada intends to spend $2.1 billion to expand the processing of permanent residence applications and address the immigration system’s backlog.

On April 7, Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced new funding as part of her federal budget proposal. The spending also includes $317.6 million ongoing – on top of the $85 million announced last year.

Immigration was described in the budget as crucial to our economy, our communities, and our national identity. It also included investment in the following areas:

• $385.7 million over five years, and $86.5 million ongoing for welcoming visitors, students, and workers.
• $1.3 billion over the next five years, and $331.2 million ongoing, to support the long-term stability and integrity of the asylum system.
• $43.5 million in 2022-23 to maintain federal support for immigration and refugee legal aid
• $187.3 million over five years, and $37.2 million ongoing on improving support services for immigrants and visitors.
• Changes to the Citizenship Act to enable automated and machine-assisted processing and the safe and secure collection and use of biometrics.

Processing of Permanent Resident Applications

The budget announced spending on application processing in anticipation of the rising annual immigration target, which is set to reach 451,000 newcomers per year by 2024, including skilled workers to address chronic labour shortages.

Welcoming Visitors, Students, and Workers

To facilitate the timely and efficient entry of visitors, students, and workers, the funding will be shared among Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Furthermore, the budget proposes an amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that would require asylum claims to be submitted electronically, expediting the process.

Canada’s Asylum System

Spending on the asylum system is to be divided between the same three groups, as well as the Immigration and Refugee Board, who process, investigate, and adjudicate asylum claims.

Furthermore, the budget proposes an amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that would require asylum claims to be submitted electronically, expediting the process.

Immigrant and visitor support services

Spending on support services will go to the IRCC in order to increase its capacity to respond to a growing number of enquiries and invest in technology and tools necessary to provide better support to their clients.

Improving the Citizenship Program

To handle greater volumes of citizenship applications, the government intends to amend the Citizenship Act to ensure automated and machine-assisted processing and the safe and secure collection and use of biometrics.