Canadian Refugee Employment Program Faces Major Processing Delays

The Canadian federal government’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is experiencing significant delays, now taking up to 54 months to process applications for refugees with job offers waiting for them in Canada. This extensive wait time is leaving both businesses and skilled refugees in a difficult position, with some Canadian firms unable to fill crucial positions and refugees facing uncertain futures.

Launched in 2018, the EMPP was designed to assist employers dealing with skill shortages by allowing them to recruit from within refugee populations. If an application is approved, the refugee can obtain permanent residency along with their spouse and children. According to the federal government, more than 1,200 individuals have successfully entered Canada through this initiative. Initially, the program boasted processing times of approximately six months, but recent reports indicate that these times have ballooned dramatically.

Dana Wagner, managing director of TalentLift Canada, a non-profit organization based in Toronto, expressed deep concern over the current situation. “It’s extremely frustrating knowing the value of this program and the potential it has,” Wagner stated. “Canada is no longer treating this applicant group like the skilled workers they are.”

As employers struggle to adapt to these delays, many report severe repercussions on their operations. A survey conducted by TalentLift found that over 20 businesses seeking to hire through the EMPP are facing production cuts, delayed expansion plans, and lost revenue as a result of the long wait times. Meanwhile, refugees waiting for approval are grappling with serious challenges, including the risk of arrest, deportation, and financial instability.

“These are really extreme situations playing out while people have a job offer in Canada waiting for them,” Wagner noted, highlighting the urgency of the matter. “Their visa is now, in some cases, a year over the promised processing time.”

In response to these processing delays, François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Finance Minister, acknowledged during a recent news conference that the government is aiming to adjust immigration levels to more sustainable figures. “Canadians understand that we had reached our capacity — or sometimes even exceeded our capacity — to welcome newcomers,” he remarked. This statement reflects a broader trend, as a recent Environics Institute poll revealed that 56 percent of Canadians believe the country is admitting too many immigrants.

The current delays in the EMPP are attributed to various factors, including immigration targets and the complexity of individual cases. Mary Rose Sabater, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, acknowledged that while wait times have increased, the government remains committed to the program’s objectives. She stated that 80 percent of complete EMPP applications are processed in approximately 17 months, highlighting the ongoing efforts to manage the situation.

As the landscape of immigration continues to evolve in Canada, the challenges faced by the EMPP reflect broader societal attitudes toward newcomers. The increasing scrutiny and shifting opinions on immigration policy may further complicate the situation for both refugees and the employers who seek to hire them.

In summary, the significant delays in the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot are not just bureaucratic issues but are having real-world consequences for refugees and Canadian businesses alike. The situation calls for urgent attention to ensure that Canada’s commitments to skilled refugees are met, allowing them to contribute to the economy and integrate into their new communities.