Authorities Pledges $428.9 Million to Assist Create the New Platform
On account of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically growing processing instances for immigration functions, the federal authorities is within the course of of making a brand new digital platform to assist expedite the method.
The brand new system is anticipated to launch in 2023 and can enhance utility processing and improve assist for candidates.
The federal authorities has pledged $428.9 million for the challenge over the subsequent 5 years within the 2021 federal finances. The funds will go in the direction of creating the brand new platform and progressively changing the case administration system at the moment getting used to course of functions.
In keeping with Alexander Cohen, spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, this initiative is part of the federal government’s plan to shift in the direction of digital platforms.
“(This new) platform will be sure that our immigration system can effectively deal with the growing variety of instances,” he mentioned. “It’ll cut back using paper functions and be easier and simpler for candidates.”
A brand new up to date system is warranted, as Cohen confirmed that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) consumption of functions has considerably elevated over the previous a number of years.
“There are simply extra functions than ever earlier than and so we’re solely going to course of as many functions as there are areas for within the (immigration) plan,” mentioned Cohen, including that COVID-19 restrictions have made it tougher for immigration officers to course of paper-based functions.
Cohen defined that the primary problem with processing functions through the pandemic is that officers must journey to a central receiving location to select up the functions or discover a solution to get them mailed securely to their properties.
There are at the moment round 120 Canadian immigration packages, and nearly half of them require paper-based functions.
The brand new platform won’t launch for one more two years. Nonetheless, IRCC has launched a web-based utility portal that permits newcomers to use on-line for everlasting residency.
This portal is at the moment solely accessible to pick candidates in seven packages. Nonetheless, it can ultimately increase to all everlasting residency packages.