Many South African applicants with any military service are being sent for “background checks” that can take 18 months. This has result in some applicants loosing their job offers in Canada as a result.
Since March 2024 (and onwards), Matrixvisa has written to senior government officials with our concerns. Essentially, our advice was that IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) should prioritize security background checks and not screen everyone with formal military background.
In July 2024, two people were arrested in Toronto on terrorism offences after a tip off from French Security Services. See https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2024/father-and-son-arrested-terrorism-offences
On 30 August 2024, Matrixvisa wrote to the committee about our recommendations. See the Matrixvisa Brief to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Security held a meeting in September 2024 about the two Toronto arrests. See the meeting here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/committees/en/SECU/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=12844801
It was reported by CBS news on 11 November 2024 that the USA arrested 358 people on terror watchlist when they attempted to enter the USA from Canada. Again it seems as if the Canadian government missed these suspects as well. See the article here: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/illegal-crossings-northern-us-border-terror-suspects-arrested/
It is our hope that our suggestions will be considered, which include:
Suggestion 1: IRCC should provide feedback to applicants that their files have been sent for security background checks due to military service and that the expected waiting period is 18 months or whatever the expected waiting period might be. At present the response is ”We are busy with verifications on your application. The verification process is done in Canada, the waiting period is not within the Visa Officers control.” This response is keeping the applicants and employers in the dark as they simply have no idea why this is happening. Employers must plan for their businesses but cannot do this blindly when basic information are not being released. Informing applicants / employers about the expected waiting period for a foreign worker and the purpose of the checking, will not jeopardise the integrity of the process. The current vague response result in:
Suggestion 2: It is hoped that a mechanism can be developed whereby low risk cases (military truck drivers that where conscripted for 1-2 years) are not redirected for security background checks as this result in limited recourses not being used optimally and is not contributing to the safety of Canadians. As explained in paragraph 8 many actions can be taken or are being taken to ensure that security background checks are being done effectively. Ensuring only people (foreign nationals, Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents) that poses a risk are being channeled through the process will ensure that the resources are being used productively in security background checking. Therefore a filter should be applied at the intake level. If there is a filter already, maybe the filter should be assessed for it’s effectiveness.