Why is inland initial assessment so backed up?

[MapleLeafMan]

When me and my wife applied several months ago for her to sponsor me to start our life here in Canada, it said on CIC website that the initial assessment was 11 month. Month after month passes and nothing happens. As of now it is up to 17 months. I keep checking it every month and it just keep adding and adding like nothing is happening.
Anyone know what's up with this? Why has the wait been so long lately and why does it keep adding?
Sometimes I'm scared that it will just keep adding forever and that they will never get to our application.
17 month for initial assessment inland application is very long, longer than usual.

Thanks

 

[torontosm]

When me and my wife applied several months ago for her to sponsor me to start our life here in Canada, it said on CIC website that the initial assessment was 11 month. Month after month passes and nothing happens. As of now it is up to 17 months. I keep checking it every month and it just keep adding and adding like nothing is happening.
Anyone know what's up with this? Why has the wait been so long lately and why does it keep adding?
Sometimes I'm scared that it will just keep adding forever and that they will never get to our application.
17 month for initial assessment inland application is very long, longer than usual.

Thanks

There was a good article in the Toronto Star about this yesterday. Apart from the regular budget cuts and lack of resources, it was also stated that the delay in inland applications is partially due to the increased number of spousal work permit applications from TFW's and other non-PR professionals in Canada. The article quoted people who said they were trying to modify the system so that citizens get priority and their applications are processed first (as opposed to the current system where TFW's can get open work permits for their spouses in a matter of weeks while citizens have to wait years).

 

[Rob_TO]

Processing really seemed to start backing up after they moved the stage 1 process from Vegreville to Mississauga. My guess is there's less staff dedicated to inland stage 1 processing today.

 

[keesio]

Processing really seemed to start backing up after they moved the stage 1 process from Vegreville to Mississauga. My guess is there's less staff dedicated to inland stage 1 processing today.

Yes considering Mississauga does outland sponsor approval too, they must be overloaded (and maybe that is why outland SA times jumped?)