From:
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/parl/XC64-1-411-02-eng.pdf
The Committee is sympathetic to those with applications in the backlog, some of
whom have been waiting for years to receive a final decision. The oldest and largest
backlog, that comprised of pre-February 2008 Federal Skilled Worker applications, has
been reduced significantly in just over three years. The Committee is satisfied with this
progress and urges the Department to continue processing these files as expeditiously as
possible. We commend the Government for reducing the pre MI-1 backlog by 50%. This
reduction was made two years ahead of schedule.
With regard to backlogs formed under Ministerial Instructions, some witnesses have
suggested that the Government of Canada take all the applications received under
Ministerial Instructions 1 that are in occupations eligible under MI-2 and MI-3 and process
them on a first come, first-served basis. Since the Department learned how to control
intake more successfully under MI-2 and MI-3, backlogs under Ministerial Instructions
should only pose a temporary problem. Others have stated that we can dissolve the
existing backlog by sending applicants a letter informing them that they can withdraw their
application, and receive a refund.36 -suggested by Collacott
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RECOMMENDATION 3:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada evaluate
the different options to deal with the Federal Skilled Worker backlog
put forward by witnesses. The Government should then proceed to act
in a timely manner to implement whichever recommendation(s) are
determined to be the most effective at reducing the backlog in the
Federal Skilled Worker program.