Labour unions, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), have criticized these cuts. Employees will learn their fate by mid-February, with the IRCC stating that the reductions will impact various sectors across both domestic and international branches of the agency.

The IRCC cited its previous pandemic-driven expansion and the need to align staffing with reduced immigration levels and permanent funding as the reasons behind the cuts. These job losses are part of a broader strategy to reduce government spending to pre-pandemic levels, with the federal budget proposing a $15 billion USD reduction over four years.

The job cuts come amid rising concerns about Canada’s immigration system, particularly in relation to the growing number of Indian immigrants. India has become the largest source country for immigrants to Canada, with Indian immigration to Canada rising by 326% from 2013 to 2023. The increased job cuts are expected to exacerbate delays in immigration processing, adding further strain to an already overburdened system.

Unions have expressed that these cuts will significantly impact vulnerable populations, leaving thousands of workers uncertain about their job security. As discussions intensify online, there is growing concern about the implications of these cuts on both the immigration system and Canada’s economy.

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Born to Punjabi immigrants in Winnipeg, Dhalla has a diverse background, including a career in beauty pageants, acting, and entrepreneurship. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Prior to politics, she worked as a chiropractor and even starred in the Bollywood-inspired film ‘Kyon? Kis Liye?’.

Dhalla served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011, becoming the first Indian-origin woman to serve three consecutive terms. Now, she is looking to break new ground as Canada’s first woman of color to serve as Prime Minister.

In her video message on X, Dhalla expressed gratitude and emphasized the historic nature of her campaign to become the first woman of color to lead the country. Her political journey also saw her ranked in the top spots for attractiveness, including being named the third-sexiest female MP in a 2008 poll by Hill Times.

Apart from politics, Dhalla is the CEO and President of the Dhalla Group of Companies. She also made headlines as a 10-year-old when she wrote a letter to then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, expressing her concerns about the violence during Operation Blue Star. Gandhi responded personally and invited Dhalla to visit India, though she was assassinated before that could happen.

As part of her leadership campaign, Dhalla pledged to take a hard stance on immigration. She stated, “As Prime Minister, I will deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers.” This promise has placed immigration reform at the forefront of her platform, drawing both praise and criticism.

Dhalla faces significant competition from other high-profile figures, such as Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland. Despite this, she is determined to offer a fresh approach and has outlined a vision of returning the Liberal Party to the center with practical solutions to Canada’s challenges. The winner of the Liberal Party leadership race will be announced on March 9.

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Under the new tariffs, goods from Canada and Mexico face a 25% tax, with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products. China’s goods are subjected to a 10% tariff. The White House justified the tariffs by citing the need to hold these nations accountable for their roles in the flow of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.

In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imposing a 25% tax on $155 billion of US imports. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and China’s government also vowed countermeasures, leading to fears of a broader economic conflict.

The tariffs reflect Trump’s ongoing efforts to protect American industries and combat illegal drug trafficking, aligning with his campaign promises to secure the nation’s borders and address public health crises.

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