Dear Mr Brown,

I know that the strike of the Canadian government workers will have a damaging impact. But I heard that services will still be offered, and we can still submit our study permit applications. Is this true?

—VT

Dear VT:

The PSAC declared a general strike which started on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. These employees provide a range of services for the public. The bargaining process between the PSAC and the Government began in December 2020, with PSAC workers calling for better working conditions and pay to keep up with inflation. On April 19, the strike officially began after two years of back and forth. PSAC president recently stated that the wage increase expectation was lowered. They were demanding 13.5 per cent but government offered them nine per cent which was deemed unreasonable.

PSAC represents about 155,000 federal public service workers, 100,000-110,000 of which are deemed non-essential and eligible to walk off the job. This strike is being called the largest in Canadian history against a single employer. It is affecting departments beyond Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) including the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which oversees taxation in Canada, among others.

PSAC representatives have said the strike will end once an agreement has been reached. The federal government may be able to enact back-to-work legislation, but it would require support from other parties.

During this labour disruption, certain services may be delayed or not delivered at all. As well, the public may have trouble accessing some Government of Canada buildings where services are delivered.

Services remaining available

Some IRCC services remain available during the labour disruption, including:

• Submitting applications online

• Mailing applications to IRCC

• Using online accounts

• Access to some emergency services

• Services offered by non-governmental organisations are still available, including visa application centres outside of Canada

There is no way to determine how long the strike will last. All applicants can do is wait for the parties to reach a deal and keep checking the news to see how the strike is being managed.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programs, including Express Entry, The Study & Work program, Visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM—a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston, and AfriCanadaServices.com in Abuja, Nigeria. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com