Federal Refugee Program Faces Surging Wait Times, Businesses Struggle

URGENT UPDATE: The federal Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is experiencing alarming wait times, now reaching an unprecedented 54 months for refugee applications, a stark contrast to the six months initially promised. This delay is leaving skilled refugees in limbo, jeopardizing their safety and the ability of Canadian businesses to fill critical positions.

Canadian employers are facing a severe labor shortage as they await the arrival of skilled refugees who have job offers but cannot get the necessary approvals. According to Dana Wagner, managing director of TalentLift Canada, businesses are reporting production cuts, project cancellations, and lost revenue due to these drawn-out processing times. “It’s extremely frustrating knowing the value of this program and the potential it holds,” Wagner stated.

Since its launch in 2018, the EMPP has facilitated the entry of over 1,200 refugees into Canada, granting them permanent residency alongside their families. However, officials now confirm that the processing backlog has ballooned, with 80 percent of complete applications taking on average 17 months to process.

The situation is dire for many refugees who face risks such as arrest, eviction, and hunger while waiting for approval. “These are really extreme situations playing out while people have a job offer in Canada waiting for them,” Wagner emphasized.

The growing delays contradict Ottawa’s earlier commitments to expedite the hiring of skilled workers from refugee populations. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne recently acknowledged that the government is adjusting immigration targets to more sustainable levels, but the impact of these changes is already being felt. “Canadians understand that we had reached our capacity — or sometimes even exceeded our capacity — to welcome newcomers,” he said.

The challenges of the EMPP come at a time when the global number of displaced individuals is rising, further highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions. The program was designed to allow Canadian employers facing skill shortages to tap into refugee talent pools, yet the current situation is thwarting these efforts.

As the federal government works to regain control over immigration processing times, observers are left wondering how many more skilled workers will be lost to delays. “Canada is no longer treating this applicant group like the skilled workers they are,” Wagner lamented.

Employers and advocates alike are calling for immediate action to address these delays. The message is clear: the future of many skilled refugees and the potential growth of Canadian businesses hang in the balance.

As this situation develops, stakeholders are watching closely for any changes in processing timelines or additional support for affected refugees. What happens next will be critical in determining the fate of countless skilled individuals hoping to contribute to Canada’s economy.

Stay tuned for more updates on this pressing issue as the situation unfolds.