C-50: Major new restrictions likely in Canadian immigration

The Canadian government has passed a new law known as C-50. This law would authorize the Canadian Minister of Immigration to issue so-called "Instructions." These instructions would authorize the Canadian immigration agency ("CIC") to preferentially process certain applications, and not to process other applications. If the Bill becomes law, it would be retroactive to February 27, 2008, when the Bill was introduced.

The stated purpose of this law is to reduce the backlog of skilled worker cases, currently about 900,000. The law has stirred a lot of controversy in Canada, because the law does not say what cases would be processed and which would be thrown out. It is all up to the Minister. Based on statements on the CIC Web site, it appears the focus will be on jobs that are needed in Canada. Persons with approved job offers in Canada will also be favored. Applications that are not processed will be returned, and the fees refunded.

According to the government, applications file before February 27, 2008 will be processed under the old law.