Inst ead of waiting months, a federal program is now taking years to process the applications of refugees who are living overseas and have a job waiting for them in Canada.

As a result, some Canadian businesses are unable to fill positions, while skilled refugees are also in limbo and risk exploi tation, arrest or detention.

In 2018, the federal government launched the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) for employers facing skill shortages to recruit internationally from within refugee populations. If approved, the individual is given permanent residency and can immigrate to Canada with their spouse and children.

Since its inception, more than 1,200 people have been approved through the program to enter Canada, according to the federal government.

Ottawa has touted the speed o

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