Canadian Government, together with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department, declared the country’s new immigration strategy. This is termed “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.” Both are trying to create a streamlined and user-centric experience for individuals accessing services in Canada as well as internationally. To stay competitive for global talent and become more proficient and modern, IRCC intends to launch Digital Platform Modernization (DPM). It’s a new state-of-the-art operating platform to enhance the department’s operational efficiency.

DPM will increase the department’s efficiency and enable it to fulfill the outstanding demand to study, work, visit, and live in Canada more effectively. In addition, DPM will introduce new functionalities like increased automation, an online single window for immigration programs, and digital self-service. 

According to the strategy, introducing DPM will revolutionize IRCC’s operations. It will accelerate the processing times, enhance program integrity, and create a more transparent and human-centric immigration strategy. 

The process of implementation of Canada’s Digital Modernization Platform

As per the official website of Canada, Digital Modernization Platform or DPM is a multi-year and multi-phase initiative. This means that it will be implemented in several phases within several years. This is because DPM aims to establish a new operational framework, leveraging modern capabilities to streamline processes. This initiative will unfold over several years by gradually replacing the current IT platform of IRCC. It is called the GCMS or Global Case Management System. It’s an electronic data management system that IRCC uses to process applications from within Canada as well as internationally. 

The DPM’s implementation is planned in three overlapping phases to ensure a smooth transition and continuous improvement in immigration processing and management.

Phases of DPM

The three phases of DPM outline a strategic approach to modernizing Canada’s immigration system. These are as follows: 

Phase 1: This phase aims to stabilize the current GCMS and prevent potential risks. This involves focusing on minimizing the technical debt assembled in the system over the past years. 

Phase 2: In this phase, the department plans to focus on further standardization of IT operations and lower technical debt. This will help it set the stage for a major digital transformation. 

Phase 3: In this phase, IRCC will revolutionize the way it works and offer its services to individuals from across the world. IRCC will launch the new digital platform, DPM, and introduce new policies and procedures that support it.  

The third phase is the most complicated stage of the DPM and has already begun. The program is scheduled to last until December 2026.

How is DPM expected to benefit IRCC?

The immigration department believes that Canada’s Digital Platform Modernization (DPM) will be flexible, agile, and responsive, which will help in managing growing volumes. This will efficiently help the IRCC department in the following:

1. Lowering processing times for applications.

2. Providing better tools for immigration officers.

3. Fulfilling the country’s immigration and diversity objectives.

4. Effectively adapting to client’s evolving needs and expectations. 

All these will help Canada remain competitive and outperform competitors in attracting global talent.

Canada’s Digital Modernization Platform (DPM): Revolutionizing Newcomer Experience

Canada’s immigration department, IRCC, is making efforts to enhance its immigration system. It is taking several steps to establish a more effective, predictable, and prompt experience for new immigrants to Canada. Notably, DPM is just a single part of this approach. 

As a part of IRCC’s goal of creating a more user-centric experience for newcomers, IRCC’s strategy includes several actions it plans to take. These are as follows:

1. Lowering the waiting time and enhancing application processing service standards.

2. Help mitigate obstacles to accepting newcomers that Canada needs to attain its objectives.

3. Improve collaboration and partnerships with employers and organizations that depend on immigration. Additionally, identifying and managing Fraud and improving students’ and workers’ safeguards.

4. Enhancing communications and developing a user-focused approach.

5. Using digital and virtual technologies to make applications more user-friendly

6. Keep moving towards creating a more advanced reconciliation process as IRCC accepts new immigrants to Canada.

IRCC’s Efforts to Improve the Immigration System

IRCC has tried to lower the prolonged waiting time and application backlogs. For this, it has implemented various notable measures to increase operational processing capabilities and tackle backlogs. This includes technical advancements and recruitment of more than 1200 officers during 2022 and 2023. 

Moreover, the department intends to leverage efficient digital tools that enable officers to address requests from across the globe more efficiently. Also, adjust the application intake with the availability of open spots to prevent prolonged waiting times. 

Besides these, IRCC plans to implement Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification and establish a recognized institutional model aiming to safeguard international students and workers. This will help in enhancing the international students program’s integrity and prevent Fraud. In addition, the immigration department has also introduced a Recognised Employer Pilot Program. This offers benefits to repeat employers who fulfill the eligibility requirements of professions that are experiencing worker shortages. 

 Additionally, IRCC has also decided to create an advisory board that includes individuals with real-life immigration experience. These can effectively help in policy development and service delivery. This will ensure a more user-focused approach. 

Ultimately, Canada’s immigration department will soon introduce the latest Citizenship guide. This will highlight the history of racism in the system and the discrimination faced by indigenous peoples. This will enable the IRCC to improve the reconciliation as it accepts new immigrants to Canada.