That isn't 100% clear from the article, actually - they specifically dodged making that statement outright by saying that it was an unprecedented success and then tempered expectations by categorically saying that 'the system is still being assessed' which is to indicate that they're not done with the pilot program, which means continued restricted invites (albeit beyond the original pilot goal, but at very restricted capacity) until they deem the pilot concluded and plan for general availability.
Having said that, when the floodgates do open, I imagine that early 2020 applicants should be cleared out a lot faster as it moves towards March 2020 and beyond.
The only way this growing backlog gets cleared (in my eyes) is a joint approach of in-person testing and online testing, neither of whose timelines are known because of ongoing issues.
Especially the in-person testing piece, because it has external dependencies (vaccination drive status, which is currently in the doldrums, and likely legislation that once vaccinations are open to the public, will make it so you either need to show proof of vaccination to sit for the exam in-person at a facility). I am skeptical that the online testing route alone has the capability to remove the backlog entirely without 100% automation on their side.
I liked reading your analysis and I somewhat agrees to your thoguhts.
We all have been stumbled with the thought that automation of citizenship test will fast track citizenship applications. Perhaps we were seeing a light (Online Oaths) at the end of tunnel.
Yes, it was a quick win for IRCC to automate the citizenship test process. We are not out of the woods yet. 6,700 out of circa 130,000 (85k applicant pending test number was given last April - So in about a years time there would be easily another 40-50k new applicants added to the pool) applicants is a very small number to even think about clearing the backlog.
Actually taking online Oath is more onerous administrative process than citizenship test. Unlike citizenship test, Oath requires more resources, planning.
I am thinking loudly, but some of the steps could be : completing final steps on the file, getting approvals from the 'boss' as there would be approval process in place, since there is a group Oath, Oath planner will have to add enough Oath ready candidates to the list. Even on day of Oath, IRCC will need additional resources to review identity of applicants, interviews. And post Oath management would include review of Oath declaration form, printing of Certificates of Citizenship and courier to the citizens. Now just imagine how onerous it is to manage this process virtually. The good news is that IRCC already has a workflow in place as they have been administering Oaths since middle of last year. Having said that, IRCC capacity to manage large number of Oaths is severely limited !!!!! Based on my reading on forum and discussion with friends who took Oath, each virtual session has as many as 25-35 candidates. Fact: IRCC adminstered 50,000 Oath in 8,000 ceremonies. Again, virtual Oatha will not be clearing the backlog in a very very long time.
All I am saying is that administering Oath virtually is more hassle than administering a citizenship test. Lets assume that flood opens and 60-75% population waiting for test do receive a test invite, there will be another large pool of applicants waiting for Oath.
