On March 22 we posted an article in which we discussed what Citizenship & Immigration Minister Jason Kenney considered would be an option to reduce the current processing times and never-ending backlog. Today, we are continuing our discussion on this topic.
In releasing Canada’s Budget on Thursday March 29, the Department of Finance revealed that Immigration Canada intends to bar the door to applicants who submitted their Skilled Worker applications before 2008. We were under the impression that Minister Kenney’s ‘consideration’ was only such; however we are now beginning to understand more about the “Economic Action Plan of 2012”.
In a media release the Government of Canada is “proposing to return applications and refund up to $130 million in application fees paid by certain federal skilled worker applicants who applied under previous criteria established prior to February 27, 2008”. Canada’s commitment to transforming Canada’s immigration system to a faster and more flexible one will kill the hopes and dreams of thousands of foreign nationals who have been waiting for their applications to be processed for years, some waiting for more than 10 years.
In order to reduce long processing times and a large backlog, Citizenship & Immigration Canada introduced a new set of criteria under Bill C-50. The changes included a yearly quota of 20,000 applications in certain preferred occupations. A year later CIC reduced the quota to 10,000 applications per year. As a result less applications were filed, however the large backlog still remains and those in the pipeline are and will continue to wait for an indefinite period of time. Now we know that these applicants will never have their applications processed. They will be returned and money they paid will be refunded.
A class-action law suit was filed against the Federal Government by several applicants which has now grown to more than 600. We are expecting this number to continue to climb as applicants become aware of this news.
Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:
- Taking further actions to strengthen the immigration system to make it truly proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future.
- Announcing the Government’s intention to better align the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with labour market demands and to ensure that businesses look to the domestic labour force before accessing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- Signalling the Government’s intention to support further improvements to foreign credential recognition and to work with provinces and territories to identify the next set of target occupations for inclusion, beyond 2012, under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
- Proposing to return applications and refund up to $130 million in fees paid by certain federal skilled worker applicants who applied under previous criteria established prior to February 27, 2008.
Tell us what you think! We want to hear from you – comment and share this article below!
Did you submit your application prior to February 27, 2008? How long have you been waiting? How do you feel that your application will never be processed?
unjustice, unfair , cheeting,
I have applied in 2007 and waiting for my turn. I have lot of dreams to settle in Canada for myself and for Family. I have planned accordingly. Please tell me if there is any hope now. otherwise everything of my Life will be shattered. Please help us.
Diksha Sharma
I have applied in 2006 when maximum duration 36 to42 months but after 64 months this news shows cheating and injustice behaviour of canadian Govt which shattered their image as a good nation khan Iqbal javed
Malik.
I applied in May 2007.
Like USA , new immigrations laws are effective from the date they are announced.All cases beofre this date are processed under old regulations.So CIC must give us Immigration visa
dr.pall.
i applied n 2004.& waiting 4 turn..
cheating cheating cheating…………….
We applied in December 2006. Now we are dissapointed and we do not know what to do.
Apply again after 6 years? It is not fair..
Never expected such unfair decision from one of the best country in the world. What’s the fault who really trust Canadian Government even by neglecting so many other opportunities in life and waited so long faithfully. Really makes no sense to trust their immigration policy.
its terrible.After applicants have waited for several years and their hard earned monies then had been used to improve canada’s economy ,the government decides to dump them.The applicants must sue them for inconsistency and a breach
It’s so unfair and unjust! I applied Sept. 2005 and waiting for more than 6 years! Now, they are telling us that they will return all applications prior to Feb. 27, 2008 and refund the application fees…It’s not all about money!!! They depriving my HOPE and DREAMS to settle and reunite with my love ones..Please do something about it..Many of us are waiting for so long and hoping for a better opportunity..Thanks.
I had applied for canadian PR on July 2005 and waiting for 77 months with the hope that my appl will be processed and will be given my PR. I have left my all other options I got during these yrs and only waiting to get the PR but this news has ruined all my and families hope and all our plans. This is totally unfair and unjustified to all of us. Pls change this plan and do not return our files unprocessed, we need the PR not the money back.
i applied 5 years back.i was waiting that my file will be processed early because they had given us 48-52month time.during last 5yrs i just prepared the courses that is useful in canada only. i m not doing anything related to here.now what r they saying .people who applied 1yr back they got visa.this is cheating.i m planning to do legal sue against them.how can they play with other life.any body pls tell me how to do legal case against them.
This is such a horrible news. I applied in 2005 and has been waiting all these years. I am so angry and depressed. However I have come to know that about 600 applicants filed a lawsuit against the federal Government and the no is expected to rise. Everybody showed do something about it.
merely a cheating by fraud CIC…shame on CIC…These people are more fraudy than neigros… shame on canadiab government…!!! If the applications were not be processed then why they had taken them at them time… Shame on india govt who let it happen…!!!
I knew that it will happen but thae way it has happened is very miserable… Now I am settled in India… i do t require this fraudy system of Canada where well educated people like doctors engineers , lawyers , teachers and professors are called to work as a truck driver , sweeper., waiters , labours and take cares of old people. we have more and more scope in INDIA . lots many opportunities, better infrastructure, more employement and liberty. now a days we are well settled . being a well educated we can not afford to work as an truck driver , sweeper., waiters , labours in Canada. After all we have self esteem in India. we are earning 3,500 $ pm in india only. we do t require CANADA where indian children have lost their virginity with white candians who misuse them which is against our hindu law. we value our family, children, wife, mother father and sister brothers bt in USA, CANADA, UK, NEWZEALAND parents are left by children in youth and left to die alone .they do t know what their wife is doing at home in his absence, must be enjoing with other men.So, Thnak God we are more safe now. Guys cheer up and keep on writinhg me your views. All The Best…!!!
I find you very offensive saying white Canadians take advantage of your women. It is the other way around Muslims come to Canada and take advantage of our women!!! Please advise all of your people family, friends to remain in India. Canadians don’t want or need you here in Canada. The reason every wants here is to take advantage of our health care and generous social programs. So stay and fix your own country please!!!
dont represent every 1 of India u schmuck, No 1 has given u the authority to be the mouthpiece. If u want to live in bronze age live in India. If you want to go out you have to embrace the cultre of the country u r going to. I cant understand people leave India and go to developed countries and still live like the way you used to live. If you love India so much y did u apply for immigration in the first case u cunt. Go and think about it
I applied in 2004 and after 8 years I am listening this news.. What money they will be refunding, the value has been changed in 8 years. Moreover, if the govt of canada can refund our 8 years??? This is not fair at all!!!
This decision is haard and unfair. I’ve submitted ymy application in 2007 ans since then iam waiting, and stopped all my plans back home with the idea of statting new life in Canada, and now they cone and slash my application. The lawsuit is a must and can you tell me how could i join and file obe of my own. Thanks
There it is we must sue the Canadian Government. This is what’s wrong with immigration today. When immigrants of 1800’s were brought here they were stripped of everything they had and not given any choices. Taken off the boat and shipped out west and put right to work with no pay only food to be able to do the work and kept in camps. My grandfather and grandmother were apart of this and yet never once did they say sue the government or receive any of their money back that they brought here. Putting your application in should not mean to put your lives on hold or not to apply somewhere else. Suggestion try and fix your own country. Good luck.
so u are also not CANADIAN, you should ask your grandfather, to which country your belong to and fix that country. you piece of shit. EAST OR WEST INDIA IS BEST. PROUD TO BE INDIAN
Same situation !!!
Can people organize to claim against Federal Government and demand a moral compensation at least !!!
cruel act of canadian govt. killing the hope of aspirants waiting such a long time.this govt.must go. indian govt should take up the matter immediately for fair play with the applicants.
The proposal to return application and refund $130million will have a bad impact not only by desperating the applicants but will also put financial pressure on present federal govt.
On the other hand there will be a big doubt on the successful completion of process of those application who applied after feb27,2008 as just reaching at the completion of processing time estimated on cic website, they also may be denied similarly as previous applicants are being refused.
Also i dont think Canadian govt will not implement this proposal as in this case they will have to face the law suit file by huge number of applicants and the Canadian govt is capable enough to find some relaxed condition to resolve this in a simpler way to get the benift of well educated and qualified skilled worker in the interestof their nation and to give potential to economic action plan2012.
thanks
Correction updated (last para)
The proposal to return application and refund $130million will have a bad impact not only by desperating the applicants but will also put financial pressure on present federal govt.
On the other hand there will be a big doubt on the successful completion of process of those application who applied after feb27,2008 as just reaching at the completion of processing time estimated on cic website, they also may be denied similarly as previous applicants are being refused.
Also i dont think Canadian govt will implement this proposal as in this case they will have to face the law suit file by huge number of applicants and the Canadian govt is capable enough to find some relaxed condition to resolve this in a simpler way to get the benift of well educated and qualified skilled worker in the interestof their nation and to give potential to economic action plan2012.
thanks for your time, best wishes
unjustice
I say we tell them to stop pretending to debate on this issue and give us our visas immediately. If they cannot do so, let the pay is Re 4 crore each, or Re 1 crore per year for every delayed year.
my Sister has applied in 2007 to reunite with her family here (me and my family). After all this time she will be told that she can come. My question is is that 5 years ago they paid 1400 CAD to the govt. The canadian govt was not sitting on that money, they must have invested it somewhere and made money, there should be a law suit to return all those money or pay the applications the application fee + interest. Not a big dent but should be deterrent when we are talking about 130 million dollars + interest for 8 yeard.
Ridiculous..Thats there incompetency..Why do the applicants pay for their failure….The applicants did not consider any other country’s option for immigration. otherwise in these years they might have gone there.
There should be a SUE as well for playinf with the time, Future & the mental torture caused due to their unfair new introduced policy
It is very disappointing proposal as I am waiting since 2005 and had not availed any other option as my family only would like to move Canada that their Dream Land.
In spite of this news I am confident that Canadian Government will never approved this proposal. I am sure these applicants will never become the liabilities on Canadian Government but one day Canadian would proud some of those individual.
If we have waited so long that have demonstrated our commitment and persistence as well as the faith on Canadian Immigration System.
Again I have full faith that this proposal will never rectified and all applicant will get fair opportunity to get the immigration of this beautiful country.
God Blessed Canada.
Javed
This is so unfair. Canadian immigration system is one of the worst systems i’ve ever come across.
If you go through proper channel, they won’t give you immigration but if you go through an illegal way you’ll get through. No wonder canada is full of more illiterate immigrants as compared to Literate.
Shame on you Canadian immigration law makers, lawyers, you’re so dumb seriously.
I’ve been through a lot because of you. I know so many people who are illiterate can’t even speak proper English and this Stupid Canadian immigration system gave them immigration and people like me who can be an asset to the country are treated like this.
Shame on you, I’m a UFT (University of Toronto) graduate and you don’t even consider that .
I wish i could share my story with someone so these law makers know what an ordinary man goes through just because of their foolishness.
please contact me at stariq2008@gmail.com if you want.
THERE ATTITUDE LIKE AL-QUIDA AS AL QUIDA KILLED THE INNOCENT AND SAME DID BY GOVT OF CANADA,THEY KILLED MORE THAN 300THOUSAND PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES..THEY ARE REAL CRUEL MEN……….HATE GOVT,OF CANADA….BAD MAN OF PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA……..WE PROTEST AGAINST THIS MAN…………..
The Canadian Govt. has broken our dreams, This is not fair, while they have keep our application in process for more than 7 years. As regards my case, I have missed 2 chances to get employment in abroad (Europe). Because I am looking forward a peaceful life in canada with my family. Canadian Govt. must process those cases applied before 27th Feb 2008,
I applied for Federal Skilled Worker immigration in September 2006. I have been waiting for this and has somehow put our life to a ‘pause’. Hoping that we can settle in Canada and reunite with my sister there
I applied for Federal Skilled Worker immigration in September 2006. I have been waiting for this and has somehow put our life to a ‘pause’. Hoping that we can settle in Canada and reunite with my sister there
dear friends, i applied for canada PR in FSW category during Nov 2007 . for the last 60 months i am eagerly awaiting for PR with lot of hopes and dreams. my ielts also going to expire by oct 2010. after all these 60 months, now CIC says, they are going to cancel.i am shocked to hear this and CIC dont have basic business ethic.where we can file case against this ? or how to go abt ? pls let me know
canadian govtis so slow that it can not decide earlier.This is total misleading the skilled worker,Now they should release all application and in future they should give guide lines for immigration.otherwie this is most indecesive decesion for welfare.
fuck on you go to hell after waiting so 6 years n giving this fuck news
not fair ,disgusting
How do we apply for a refund
cheater country, at high level cheating even no one can speak, by the way nature give punishment to those type of person/country.
Completely ridiculous. I lived in Canada for 5 years on work and student permit. I left for a few years, thinking I would be able to return as landed immigrant. I had plenty points for immigration plus a Canadian degree. What s scam to now be told that all the effort and time is wasted. Plus no interest for the money paid. It is shameful. Id support any action on this. Ive simply taken my skill and expertise elsewhere!