Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to eliminate about 3,300 positions by 2027, targeting roughly 25% of its 13,092-person workforce in one of the department’s largest restructurings.
An internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press reveals that 20% of cuts will affect permanent positions, while “significant reductions” will hit term employees through early contract terminations or non-renewals. Deputy Minister Harpreet S. Kochhar told staff that affected workers will receive notices by mid-February.
The department faces mounting budget pressure, with required spending reductions starting at $237 million in 2025-26 and reaching $336 million by 2027-28. The cuts form part of Ottawa’s broader effort to find $15.8 billion in savings by 2027-28.
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“We’ve been working under an ever-increasing budget and need to learn to live within a defined — and reduced — budget moving forward,” the memo stated. The department expanded rapidly in recent years to handle pandemic-related challenges and increased immigration targets.
Labor unions warn the cuts threaten critical services. “Families longing to reunite, businesses grappling with critical labour shortages and a health-care system desperate for skilled workers will all suffer the consequences of this reckless decision,” said Rubina Boucher, Canada Employment and Immigration Union national president.
The Canadian Association of Professional Employees urged Immigration Minister Marc Miller to pause the reductions until Parliament can assess their impact, particularly given current U.S.-Canada relations.
IRCC spokesperson Jessica Kingsbury emphasized that “Canada’s immigration goals are a top priority,” saying the department will “continue to identify opportunities to streamline our work and invest in the priorities that matter most.”
The department has already begun reducing staff through attrition and redeployment while limiting external hiring.
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