Federal immigration department to cut more than 3,300 jobs, unions say

Two federal public service unions say the Immigration Department is set to cut 3,300 jobs.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Canada Employment and Immigration Union say in a joint statement that the department has not said who will be affected by the cuts.

Wait times for Canada’s immigration backlog hit all-time highs last month. Cutting more than 3,300 workers who process these critical applications will hurt families and businesses. This is the wrong decision at the absolute worst time. Shame. https://t.co/3zzGsnbq57

— PSAC-AFPC (@psac_afpc) January 20, 2025

The unions say more information is expected in mid-February but that the cuts were brought up in a union-management meeting before staff were notified.

The unions say staff at the department are essential to the work of processing citizenship and permanent residency applications, issuing passports and conducting interviews. 

Both unions are urging the government to cut down on outside contracting instead of downsizing staff.

Public service employees have been braced for layoffs since the government launched an effort to refocus federal spending in 2023.