Our message today is simple. Canada's asylum system can be both efficient and humane, through feasible policy changes, if we begin to see refugee claimants as a benefit rather than a burden. The Refugee Centre has seen how bureaucratic inefficiencies directly impact the lives of future citizens. Delayed documentation, inaccessible legal aid and limited economic pathways are compounded to hinder the otherwise successful settlement of refugee claimants.
The first priority is modernizing documentation issuance. Today, refugee claimants rely on paper documents that are frequently delayed, lost or misunderstood by service providers. We propose adopting a secure ID card with a QR code on the back, allowing work permits, eligibility status and health assessments to be uploaded automatically, based on a model being used in Sweden. This would significantly reduce processing and mailing delays, restore dignity to claimants accessing services and accelerate entry into the labour market.
At present, some claimants wait up to two years for an initial work permit, not because they are ineligible but because of administrative bottlenecks. This delay directly increases pressure on provincial social assistance systems and shelters while depriving the economy of workers who are ready and willing to contribute. Evidence shows that refugee claimants are already reporting higher earnings than those in other categories; in some provinces, their earnings approach those of economic migrants. Faster documentation means faster integration and stronger economic outcomes.