Reduce backlog by cutting Canada immigration applications-Kenney

Canada, 21st October: Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney has stressed on cutting the number of Canada visa applications as a solution to the problem of increasing Canada visa backlogs.

Canada visa backlogs have been going up considerably, especially for grandparents and parents category.

Canada’s popularity-root cause of immigration backlogs—Kenney made no bones about admitting that the reason for increasing Canada visa backlogs is due to increased popularity of the nation as an immigration destination.

He said the previous government has removed upper limit on the number of immigrants to be admitted into Canada and its this irresponsible decision that has thrown the whole immigration system out of gear.

While discussing the issue of immigration backlogs in the nation before a committee of House of Commons, he said that Canada’s backlog of immigration applications is increasing up day by day even though the nation has been giving approval to around 254,000 Canada visa applications each year.

According to official figures, as many as one million applicants are still their turn for immigration to Canada. Out of around 420,000 Canada visa applications received by Canada immigration department-CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)-nearly10 percent are rejected by the department.

Reduce Canada family class visas--Minister Kenney has pointed out towards cutting family class visas for reducing backlogs in Canada immigration. It is a good way is to cut the number of applicants accepted under parents and grandparents visa category, Kenney asserted.

In the year 2010, Canada immigration department accepted a total of 37,500 Canada visa applications for grandparents and parents category, however, the number of applicants admitted into Canada in 2010 were 18,500.

He said that even if Canada doubles the number of applicants to be admitted into the nation each year under the family class, the backlog will not go down, admitted Kenney.

Talking about other nations’ requirements for getting a family class visa, Kenney said that the conditions are quite tough as compared to Canada.

Most of the nations ask an applicant wanting to immigrate to have a minimum level of family income along with a bond or private health insurance for grandparent and parent applications, he affirmed. The minister wants the House of Commons committee to find out some solution to deal with Canada visa backlogs.