Canada to Slash 3,300 Immigration Jobs Over Three Years, Cutting Nearly 25% of Workforce

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,300 employees—about 25% of its current staff—over the next three years. The announcement communicated to employees via email on Monday, has sparked widespread concern about its potential impact on immigration services across the country.The internal email, later confirmed by IRCC to CBC, outlined that the cuts will affect all sectors and branches within the department. Notifications to impacted employees are set to begin in mid-February.
“We estimate that about 80% of these reductions can be achieved by eliminating planned staffing, terms, and other temporary staffing commitments. The remaining 20% of reductions will need to be achieved through the workforce adjustment (WFA) process and will affect indeterminate employees,” the email stated.
While the affected functions have been identified, the specific positions have not yet been disclosed. The email also noted that some term contracts might be terminated prematurely, with those affected receiving at least 30 days’ notice.
The IRCC’s workforce expanded significantly in recent years to address urgent global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, relying heavily on temporary funding. However, with the federal government scaling back immigration levels and mandating a return to pre-pandemic spending, the department now faces substantial budget reductions.As of March 2024, IRCC employed approximately 13,100 staff, up from 7,900 in 2019 and 5,900 in 2014. The planned cuts will bring staffing levels closer to those seen in 2021, marking a significant rollback in resources.
In October 2024, the government announced a three-year reduction in immigration levels, pausing Canada’s rapid population growth to focus on sustainable long-term development. IRCC stated that its staffing adjustments are aligned with this reduced growth trajectory and permanent funding levels

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