Immigration lawyers say rising number of CSIS security screenings causing delays
In its new annual report, the intelligence agency says it received more than 538,000 screening requests from immigration and border officials in 2024, a significant increase over the roughly 300,000 screening requests it received annually before 2023.
The report says that while there 'continues to be a high volume of applications awaiting security screening,' the intelligence agency will 'take the time required' to complete them.
The increase in screening requests is being driven in part by a spike in the number of asylum seekers coming to Canada, all of whom must be screened.
Immigration lawyers in B.C. and Ontario say their clients are facing extended delays due to security screening and no one is explaining why.
Ali Abuhannoud, a Jordanian refugee who is applying for Canadian citizenship, says he has been waiting for his security screening result since May 2024, despite having been screened twice previously.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada launches consultation on the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act Français
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada has initiated consultations with Canadian industry, businesses and labour representatives, to develop the regulations for the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act. The Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act will reduce federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility by recognizing comparable provincial or territorial regulatory requirements. It ensures that Canadian workers and businesses face fewer obstacles as they move goods, provide services and pursue opportunities to work across the country. As part of the implementation of the Act, regulations are being developed to specify requirements, including what makes federal requirements comparable to existing provincial and territorial ones, as well as any potential exceptions to the Act to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being and the environment. The Government of Canada will hold regional and national consultations with industry, businesses and labour representatives over the coming month, as a critical piece in the development of those specific regulations. Interested parties are welcome to provide input in two ways: Regional engagement: The government will meet with stakeholders, industry and labour representatives through a series of roundtable meetings. In-person and virtual meetings will be held across the country in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Sessions will include hundreds of representatives from a wide range of key industries including agriculture and agri-food, manufacturing, labour and transportation. Written submissions: Interested parties can also submit their feedback directly in writing (link to new page) by August 22, 2025. These consultations will help us understand the needs of industry, businesses and labour and directly inform the drafting of the final regulations of the Act. The final regulations will be published in fall 2025, in order to operationalize the Act. Quote "We are listening to and answering the calls from business and industry to remove barriers to trade between Canada's provinces and territories. We are working with them every step of the way to remove the federal red tape and give Canadians lower prices and more choice. Together, we will build the strongest economy in the G7." —The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Quick Facts Trade within Canada is an essential driver of the Canadian economy. Eliminating barriers to internal trade will lower prices on everyday items, give Canadians greater choice, and increase productivity, adding up to $200 billion to the economy. The Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act is part of the One Canadian Economy legislation, which received Parliamentary Royal Assent on June 26, 2025, and aims to build a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Canadian economy. Associated Links One Canadian Economy Internal Trade SOURCE Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
‘Build them here': Union joins chorus of critics to BC Ferries' China deal
The union representing B.C. ferry workers has joined the chorus of critics opposing a plan to build four new major vessels in a Chinese shipyard. 'What we're looking to see is both a short-term solution, you know, build these first four ferries in Canada or at least a majority of them in Canada, and then moving to vessels five, six, seven, eight —those should be built in Canada, no question,' said Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry Marine Workers' Union. BC Ferries set off a political firestorm this spring when it announced that it would purchase its next four vessels from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) after a lengthy open bid process. 1:57 Federal committee begins probe of BC Ferries loan No Canadian shipyards bid on the project, and the ferry company says the Chinese bid came in at about $1.2 billion cheaper than European competitors. Story continues below advertisement But the decision landed in the middle of a vastly shifted political landscape, including a global trade war and a surging 'buy Canadian' movement. B.C.-based shipbuilder Seaspan has said it is already fully occupied building Coast Guard and navy vessels for the National Shipbuilding Strategy. But it also said BC Ferries had not offered any financial incentives to Canadian yards, and that the domestic cost of labour meant it could not compete with overseas shipbuilders on price alone. McNeely acknowledged that building in Canada will cost more up front, but said that is money that would be injected into the local economy, rather than sent overseas. 'Those are billions of dollars worth of construction, billions of dollars worth of labour, and hundreds of millions of dollars in raw materials, materials that Canada produces and is looking for a market for,' he said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He further argued that buying from a foreign supplier means potential additional costs and delays during future maintenance when BC Ferries needs to wait for parts or specialists to arrive. He said there are additional public interest benefits to building at home, including generational opportunities in the trades and post-secondary training that support them. 2:12 Push for government to support domestic ship building industry It also supports Canada's sovereignty and long-term economic security, he argued. Story continues below advertisement 'If we continue to hollow out domestic capacity, we won't be able to build ships in the future. That means that domestically, we don't have any leverage to apply to an international builder to say, 'Hey, we want a good price on this,'' he said. 'It's not just about ferries. It's about an industrial strategy that looks out for Canadians and, at the same time, develops our capacity internally.' BC Ferries spokesperson Jeff Groot said the company did have conversations with Canadian shipbuilders ahead of the procurement process, and even adjusted some of its criteria to ensure they could qualify to bid. He said Canadian builders are currently at capacity with federal contracts, which would have meant a delay in getting ferries for B.C. into the water. 'Unfortunately, what happened was no Canadian ship here did bid, and that means that we couldn't consider them in how we were awarding this contract,' he said. More than 100 ships now in service in Canada have been produced in Chinese yards in the last decade, he said, including a ferry for Marine Atlantic Ferries, a federal Crown corporation, that was built in the very same yard BC Ferries is using. Groot added that in the absence of significant additional government funding, any additional cost to build the ferries would end up inflating fares for ferry passengers. Story continues below advertisement 2:15 BC Ferries new vessel federal funding controversy 'Any additional dollar that we spend is something that we need to get back from our customers,' Groot said. 'It's not a model like other public transit agencies or even other ferry corporations, where we get significant funding from governments that offset these costs. Our customers pay almost 80 per cent of the total company's costs.' BC Ferries currently charges $95 for a car and driver plus $15 per passenger one-way on its major southern routes, and has warned that it could be forced to further hike fares by 30 per cent by 2028. BC Ferries will also spend about $1 billion on maintenance, repair and refits for the new ferries at BC yards over their lifespan, Groot said. The ferry company has further argued it is critical to get the vessels in service as soon as possible, as it grapples with repeated mechanical issues in its aging fleet and associated cancellations. Story continues below advertisement Despite the ferry company's arguments, the decision to build overseas has sparked ongoing controversy — drawing criticism from government and opposition figures at both the provincial and federal levels. The federal parliamentary Transport Committee has launched a probe into a $1 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank for the project, with federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland telling MPs Friday she was 'dismayed' by the CMI Weihai deal. McNeely, meanwhile, said the union has launched a new campaign called 'build them here' to try and pressure public officials to prioritize domestic shipbuilding. 'This is public dollars,' he said. 'So that's public dollars for Canadian ferries, and that should create Canadian jobs, and that should strengthen Canadian industry.'
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Vancouver's Ruby Slippers Production Society takes centre stage with new federal funding
Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed announces support for an initiative empowering diverse voices in Canadian theatre VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's arts and culture sector weaves the rich tapestry of our nation's diversity, nurturing spaces where varied voices, stories, creative processes and leadership have the chance to grow, develop and prosper. Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville), announced an investment of $95,000 in the Ruby Slippers Production Society. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. Funding is provided through the Projects component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, as part of the Anti-Racism Call for Proposals. It will support the Ruby Slippers Production Society's Advance Theatre Pipeline Development Process. This year-long initiative is designed to provide leadership and creative development opportunities to equity-deserving theatre artists. Through mentorship, workshops, professional networking and an Artist-in-Residency program, the project will help racialized and underrepresented artists deepen their experience in areas such as writing, directing, production and curation. The project will also include the Advance Theatre Festival and Advance Theatre Cultural Development program, offering script development, staged readings and community engagement opportunities. The initiative will culminate in a premiere professional production of new work by participating artists. By introducing inclusive workplace practices that are developed by and for equity-deserving artists, the Pipeline will support individual career growth and contribute to a stronger, more representative Canadian theatre ecosystem. Quotes "The Ruby Slippers Production Society has long championed diverse voices and redefined what leadership in theatre can look like. It brings its vision to life by spotlighting the voices and perspectives of equity-deserving, underrepresented artists, helping them not only envision a future in theatre but also reflect the richness of Canada's identity and the vital role culture plays in shaping a sovereign and united country. With this funding, our government is helping more artists, creators and makers find their place and their power on Canada's cultural stage." —The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "The Government of Canada's support for the Ruby Slippers Production Society ensures an ongoing legacy of inspiring artists to follow their own creative yellow brick road toward expression and opportunity. Through the Advance Theatre Pipeline, emerging equity-deserving creators will gain access to the mentorship, tools and platforms they need to flourish from script to stage. This transformative project will help foster the next generation of leaders and changemakers, opening doors across the sector and empowering new voices to shine across communities." —Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville) "By producing and creating works by female identifying and gender non-conforming artists who also identify as Indigenous, Black or Persons of Colour, Ruby Slippers Theatre helps create a vibrant theatre culture that reflects the rich diversity of our great Canadian stage. By lifting up equity-deserving voices in this way, we are celebrating resilience and transformation in the spirit of allyship, empowerment and collective liberation from our colonial past. We express our deep thanks to the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting the work of Ruby Slippers Theatre." —Diane Brown, Artistic and Producing Director, Ruby Slippers Production Society Quick Facts The Ruby Slippers Production Society is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that supports, develops and showcases underrepresented voices in Canadian theatre. Founded by a collective of female-identifying artists, the Society has produced more than 80 theatre projects since 1994 and is known for amplifying diverse, equity deserving artists. Through its work, the Society advances inclusive theatre practice and fosters deeper cultural understanding by illuminating underrepresented perspectives. The objective of the Projects component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program is to provide funding to community-based initiatives that address systemic racism, discrimination, or hate by effecting sustainable change to promote the value of diversity, and foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in Canada. The Anti-Racism Call for Proposals funds initiatives to address systemic racism and discrimination in Canada. Its objective is to enhance access to and inclusivity within Canada's arts, culture and heritage organizations and institutions, and creative industries by addressing systemic racism and discrimination in workplaces faced by Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, and other racialized and religious minority communities, while considering intersectionality. SOURCE Canadian Heritage
