According to the announcement by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), travellers should expect delays and disruptions in passport services and processing visa applications due to the worker strike by a labour union that represents more than 155,000 workers. Industrial action is expected to affect the workflow of the majority of government departments.
For those who don’t know, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents federal workers, decided to take industrial action on 19 April after they couldn’t get the government to agree to their terms regarding issues of wages and working conditions. IRCC believes that strikes will lead to delays or unavailability of specific services. Moreover, the public may also find it difficult to access Government of Canada buildings to avail of the official services.
The immigration department of Canada has advised the public to expect delays in various services, including immigration-related appointments, phone or social media, processing applications, contacting IRCC through email, application for an extension to stay in Canada, consular citizenship and passport services, citizenship ceremonies, etc.
On the other hand, IRCC services, such as online applications, access to online accounts, mailing applications to IRCC, and accessing emergency services, will be available during the worker strike. Furthermore, services provided by non–government organizations, like healthcare via the Interim Federal Health Program, visa application centres in other countries, and settlement services rendered by IRCC partner organizations, will also be available.
Don’t forget the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), responsible for playing a significant role in Canada’s immigration system, will also face disruptions in collecting biometrics and running the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
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