As Canada’s largest federal public service strike approaches its third week, thousands of people face an immigration dilemma amid canceled hearings and halted applications, potentially making it difficult for the country to compete for global talent as employers face a tight labor market.

About 155,000 federal government employees have been striking since April 19, and while wages are a major sticking point, the union also wants to include remote work in its collective agreement.

Lawyers told Reuters that the strike has affected everyone from asylum seekers whose hearings have been canceled to sponsored relatives stuck in limbo, from migrant workers to international students.

Canada has raised its immigration targets to record levels, hoping to bring in 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025 to help ease labor shortages in industries ranging from construction to healthcare. Canada’s low birth rate makes immigration a key driver of economic growth.

Some newcomers are left waiting abroad; others remain wondering if their permits will expire. Some employers do not need employees. People waiting on passports cannot travel.

She said immigration lawyer Kasineya Chernen’s office is receiving calls from concerned clients.

'We haven’t heard any response. What can we do?' We just tell them to be patient.’

The strike-related delays come at a time when Canada’s immigration system is playing a role in catching up with pandemic delays.

Chernen said: “Many clients are frustrated by the fact that it seems we finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel... we are witnessing many clients being put back into limbo again.”

Chernen added that Canada recently conducted draws for thousands of permanent residents, and may not have the capacity to handle them.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Minister Sean Fraser said last week that because of the strike, tens of thousands of files that could have been processed were not.

He added, ‘The longer any work stoppage lasts, the more severe the impacts. We will continue to work to identify priority areas where people’s lives may be at risk to ensure we continue to maintain those core functions.’

Fraser continued that once the backlog is understood, ‘we may have to consider policy decisions we need to make in order to catch up.’

Spokespeople for the immigration department, whose work has been affected by the strike, have been unable to provide details on the strike’s impact on immigration services.

A large part of lawyer Lev Abramovich’s work involves asking courts to impose rulings on delayed immigration cases. Now he sees his clients facing more disruption.

He said, ‘It adds a lot of worry. It adds a lot of stress. It adds a lot of disruption.’

Immigration lawyer Gidi Maman said the immigration system, viewed as disrupted, may complicate efforts to attract skilled immigrants.

He added, ‘It gives our immigration system a black eye. And if you’re competing for the best and brightest, the most in demand, you want to remain at the top of their list of options.’