A surge in immigration-related rulings has overwhelmed federal courts, leading to delays in other legal matters, according to court administrators. Records indicate an 80% increase in such cases, straining the system.
"Ensuring Canadians have access to modern, safe, and accessible court facilities is integral to democracy, the rule of law, and maintaining broad public confidence," stated the Courts Administration Service in its latest Departmental Results Report.
Blacklock's Reporter says appeals from foreigners denied tourist, residency, work, or study permits rose from 612 in 2017 to 1,101 last year, reflecting an 80% rise. These figures only account for cases where the Department of Immigration was named as a defendant.
"Current and emerging funding pressures are expected to limit or reduce our ability to both modernize and maintain essential court operations," warned the report. The Federal Courts operate on an annual budget of $84.7 million.
Federal judges issued rulings this week on 11 additional immigration appeals. These included the deportation of a Lebanese national who entered Canada illegally, a Bangladeshi man denied a tourist visa over concerns he would not leave Canada, two Indian farmworkers denied permits, a Filipino woman who failed to meet residency criteria, a Costa Rican who falsely claimed refugee status, and a Tanzanian seeking protection due to his bisexuality.
Judicial review applications for immigration cases have skyrocketed, increasing from 5,572 in 2017 to 24,784 last year. The backlog of refugee claims at the Immigration and Refugee Board has also surged sixfold, from 43,250 to 272,440 cases.
No federal agency has calculated the total cost of managing the influx.
However, a 2018 Budget Office report estimated that federal expenses per illegal immigrant ranged from $14,321 to $33,700, depending on appeal durations. These figures excluded costs for food, housing, benefits, or education.
"Per migrant costs are projected to rise over time," analysts noted. "This is largely due to longer projected wait times for migrants to complete the entire asylum claim process."
The Department of Immigration disclosed in a 2024 Inquiry of Ministry that tens of thousands of foreign students filed refugee claims after their study permits were revoked or expired. In total, 36,075 foreign students sought asylum.
The rise in immigration cases coincided with the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan, which proposed an 11% cut in quotas.
"We have seen massive population growth over the past years, particularly in temporary workers and residents," then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on October 24, 2024. "We now need to let our communities and infrastructure catch up."
