One of the great improvements in the last five years, in particular, has been the implementation of the global case management system for the processing of immigration applications. Applications are processed at visa offices around the world. Work is shared, and processes are becoming automated. There is a recognized improvement in efficiency in processing, and hopefully there will be a cost benefit as a result.
One of the things the Canadian Bar Association would also like to point out, though, is that for people who are actually going to participate in the application process, the dehumanization of the current system is a big problem.
That's why one of the recommendations in particular is that there be not only improved officer training but also communication between the applicant and the officer, so there aren't unnecessary and arbitrary refusals of applications that result in appeals that drag on for extended periods of time, when it could be as simple as asking a few questions.