Canada’s new refugee policy: $250,000 campaign warns of challenges for asylum-seekers
Backlog of 260,000 refugee cases highlights the country's ‘not easy’ asylum system
Canada has launched a global online ad campaign cautioning asylum-seekers about the complexities of claiming refugee status.
According to Reuters, the initiative, budgeted at C$250,000 (£146,000), spans 11 languages, including Spanish, Urdu, and Tamil, aiming to counter misinformation about the immigration process.
Running through March 2025, the campaign directs online search queries such as “refugee Canada” to sponsored content titled Canada’s Asylum System – Asylum Facts.
The ads warn that asylum claims involve strict qualification criteria, urging individuals to weigh their decisions carefully.
Canada’s asylum backlog
Canada’s refugee system is under significant strain, with over 260,000 cases awaiting resolution and average processing times stretching to 44 months. As Toronto Star reports, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has acknowledged inefficiencies and proposed reforms to fast-track cases deemed unlikely to succeed.
Refugee claims have surged by 125 percent from 2019 to 2023, according to federal data. This increase, combined with growing global displacement, has stretched the system further.
Critics suggest that the government’s recent campaign could send a contradictory message compared to Canada’s traditionally welcoming reputation. Jamie Chai Yun Liew, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, told Reuters, “If they’re saying, ‘You’re not welcome,’ it seems contrary to Canada’s past messaging.”
Trudeau shifts Immigration tone
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is taking a stricter approach to immigration amid growing public concern. Polls show many Canadians believe the country admits too many newcomers, citing challenges like rising housing costs.
The Toronto Star notes that Trudeau has recently criticised “bad actors” exploiting the immigration system and highlighted stricter measures to ensure compliance.
The government has also reduced immigration targets and encouraged temporary residents to leave once their visas expire, promising deportations for non-compliance.
Critics demand action
Opposition members have criticised the campaign as a distraction. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan told the Toronto Star that the effort is a “shameless” attempt to shift blame for systemic failures. She argued, “Instead of wasting $250,000 on advertising, they should be investing in processing applications.”
The campaign comes amid other policy shifts, including a cap on study permits and the termination of the Student Direct Stream visa programme. These changes are part of broader efforts to manage population growth and infrastructure challenges.