Canada's largest government strike weighs on thousands of immigrants

The largest strike by federal government employees in Canada, for the third week, has caused hardship for thousands of people seeking immigration, as courts canceled hearings that were scheduled to consider their applications, dependents, migrant workers and foreign students.

Thousands seeking to immigrate to Canada are facing a crisis in light of the cancellation of court sessions that were scheduled to consider their applications due to the largest strike of federal government employees, which is approaching its third week.

About 155,000 employees of the federal government are participating in the strike, which began on April 19. While wages are a major point of contention, the union also wants to include remote work in a comprehensive deal.

Lawyers told Reuters that the strike affected everyone, including asylum seekers whose hearings were canceled to consider their applications, relatives on their sponsorship, migrant workers and foreign students.

Canada has raised its immigration target to record levels as it hopes to bring in 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025 to help reduce a labor shortage in sectors from construction to health care.

Spokespersons for the Department of Immigration, whose work has been affected by the strike, were unable to provide details of its impact on immigration services.