"People are suffering." - The State of Immigration in Canada for 2026-2028
Tiffarah McLean | Nov 06 2025 15:12
"People are suffering."
This is a statement I've made countless times to those who are interested in my observations about the current state of our immigration system. And I'm not the only one who knows it. On November 4, 2025, the The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) [of which I am a member] issued a critical statement regarding Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028, highlighting several pressing concerns. Among their concerns are the following:
1. Processing Delays and Application Backlogs
CILA emphasizes the persistent issue of prolonged processing times across various immigration programs, with some applicants facing waits exceeding a decade. The association criticizes proposed legislative measures, such as Bills C-2 and C-12, which would grant the government authority to unilaterally cancel applications, arguing that this undermines the predictability and fairness of the immigration system.
"For employers, this uncertainty complicates workforce planning, investment decisions, and service continuity. For foreign nationals, it jeopardizes employment stability, income security, and integration outcomes."
2. Disconnect Between Immigration Targets and Economic Needs
There is a misalignment between the government's immigration targets and the country's economic needs. CILA notes that reductions in both permanent and temporary resident admissions could exacerbate already existing labor shortages, particularly in sectors like construction, energy, and digital infrastructure, thereby hindering national productivity and competitiveness.
"Rather than curbing PR levels, the federal government should expand and streamline pathways from temporary to permanent residence. This approach aligns near-term labour flexibility with long-term demographic and economic stability, while mitigating pressure on settlement capacity through targeted transition programs for individuals already contributing to Canada’s communities and labour market."
3. Impact on Higher Education and Research
CILA raises concerns about the adverse effects of temporary resident caps on Canada's higher education institutions. The association highlights significant financial deficits faced by universities due to reduced international student admissions, which threaten the country's research capacity and global standing in fields such as artificial intelligence.
"A balanced approach to student permitting should target bad actors without jeopardizing compliant institutions and Canada’s innovation future."
4. Family Reunification Challenges
Family reunification is a cornerstone of Canada's immigration policy. However, CILA points out that current operational practices, including prolonged processing times for spousal sponsorship applications, often contradict this principle, leading to extended family separations.
"The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) establishes family reunification as a foundational pillar of Canada’s immigration framework – recognizing that strong, stable families are essential to successful integration, economic participation, and community well-being. However, current operational practices and processing timelines often stand in tension with this principle."
In its conclusion
CILA offers a number of recommendations and calls for a comprehensive and coherent national immigration strategy that better aligns with Canada's economic objectives, supports higher education and research, and upholds the humanitarian commitment to family reunification. With far less eloquence, I call for the Government of Canada to end the suffering.
Why this Matters
The immigration system impacts the lives of thousands of individuals and employers; and immigration policies shape the very essence of Canada's economic, social, and cultural landscapes. Also, misinformation about the state of immigration in Canada only fuels division and prolongs the struggles of individuals and employers who are ensnared by slow processes and disconnected policies.
CILA's statement helps us begin to reshape our understanding and call for actionable change in Canada's immigration policies. My hope is that we may learn to think critically about our immigration system, extend empathy and support to those affected, and demand transparent, compassionate policies that foster integration and opportunity for all. We must advocate for an immigration system that is fair, efficient, and aligned with Canada's economic and social realities and I hope you'll join us in creating a future where Canada's immigration system is a beacon of hope and prosperity, not one that is associated with suffering.