Will IRCC increase its reliance on AI technology and Chinook to process applications?
According to IRCC's 2021-2022 departmental results report , IRCC plans to reduce the number of officers processing applications in the coming years. With plans to increase the volume of applications processed, but with a reduction in staff, it suggests that IRCC will likely increase its reliance on AI technology, Chinook , etc., to process applications.
Summary of human resources for core mission and internal services
|
Core mission and internal services |
2019–20 Full-time actual |
2020–21 Full-time actual |
2021–22 Full-time as planned |
2021–22 Full-time actual |
2022–23 Full-time as planned |
2023–24 Full-time as planned |
|
Visitors, International Students and Temporary Workers |
1,568 |
1,540 |
1,398 |
1,684 |
1,478 |
1,421 |
|
Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration |
3,020 |
3,129 |
3,262 |
3,809 |
3,866 |
3,639 |
|
Citizenship and Passports |
1,682 |
1,813 |
1,755 |
1,757 |
1,816 |
1,852 |
|
Subtotal |
6,270 |
6,482 |
6,415 |
7,250 |
7,160 |
6,912 |
|
Internal services |
1,768 |
1,931 |
1,801 |
2,241 |
2,118 |
1,916 |
|
Total |
8,038 |
8,413 |
8,216 |
9,491 |
9,278 |
8,828 |
Chinook: An effective tool for improving efficiency or a cause for concern?
In 2020, when Chinook was implemented, the number of new applications remained stable, but the rejection rate was significantly higher. The overall rejection rate for 2020 was 53% compared to 34% in 2018, with rejection rates increasing sharply in countries that are the largest source of students to Canada (for example, the rejection rate for study permits from India increased from 34% in 2018 to 57% in 2020). ( Source: The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association )
IRCC faces significant challenges in handling the volume of cases, and has strived to develop tools to support this process. The hope is that these processing tools will achieve the goals of fairness and accuracy in decision-making.
Professional immigration lawyers and consultants will also play a crucial role in completing your application, as well as appealing on your behalf if the computer system makes errors or unfair judgments.
Please SCHEDULE an appointment for a consultation.