Latest news with #fastTrack
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Third of asylum seekers entering State this year subject to a fast-track decision-making
A third of asylum seekers entering the State this year have had their applications considered under a fast-track decision-making process, new figures show. Accelerated processing was expanded by the previous coalition government as the numbers seeking international protection soared after the Covid-19 pandemic. Shortly after the process was introduced in 2022, some 20 per cent of people applying for asylum were subject to the accelerated system, but this fell to 13 per cent in 2023. However, the number of countries from where applicants are subject to accelerated decision-making has increased in recent years beyond the 'safe country' list it was initially based on. READ MORE The process was widened to include countries from where there has been a surge in the numbers seeking asylum. Under the reforms, introduced last year, the International Protection Office (IPO) prioritises cases from the top two countries of origin – those with the highest number of applicants in the previous three months. It was previously confined to the single country with the highest number of applicants in the previous quarter-year. The first two countries from outside the 'safe country' list to be used as part of the system were Nigeria and Jordan . Figures shared at a meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on migration show 32 per cent of applications are being accelerated. According to the data, out of 5,039 applications so far this year, 1,622 cases were accelerated. The increased number of fast-track asylum cases comes in tandem with a significant reduction in the number of people seeking asylum in the State. Applications were down by 44 per cent year on year in the period to mid-June, according to a presentation, based on Department of Justice data, given to Ministers. Government figures believe the introduction of faster processing has contributed to the significant decline in the number of people seeking international protection here. The meeting also considered data on the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), which handles appeals to first-instance decisions made on asylum applications. It shows that the tribunal expects to receive 17,000 appeals this year, having completed 2,130 in the five months to the end of May. It accepted 8,835 appeals last year. In the first five months of the last year it had already accepted 5,730 appeals. To manage the increased workload, the tribunal's headcount is being increased from six full-time members to 30, and part-time members are growing from 88 to 160.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Senate could vote on controversial major projects bill today
Prime Minister Mark Carney is joined by members of his cabinet and caucus as he speaks at a news conference in the Foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa after Bill C-5 passed in the House. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — The Senate could vote today on Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial major projects bill, legislation that would give the federal government the power to fast-track projects it hopes will bolster the economy. The bill, which moved swiftly through the House of Commons, is subject to a programming motion in the Senate — meaning it has to be voted on by tomorrow. Bill C-5 has faced heavy opposition over the speed of its passage through Parliament and the sweeping new powers it would give the government. Carney has said the bill is needed to fast-track 'nation-building projects' in the face of an economic crisis triggered by the trade war with the United States. The government has defended its decision to ram the bill through, pointing to its federal election win as evidence that Canadians support its agenda. But critics calling for a deeper review of the bill have argued there's no need to rush it through because proposed fast-track projects won't start work before Parliament returns from its summer break. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025
National Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Senator Patrick Brazeau collapses while speaking during debate on major projects bill
OTTAWA — Senate debate on the federal government's major projects bill was briefly suspended after a senator collapsed on the floor of the chamber. Article content Sen. Patrick Brazeau rose to speak before collapsing sideways onto the floor. Speaker Raymonde Gagne suspended proceedings for roughly half an hour. Article content Paramedics entered the Senate chamber as many senators momentarily left, and Gagne thanked officials and colleagues for responding quickly after reconvening the session. Article content Article content The Quebec senator was speaking about Bill C-5, Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial legislation that would grant Ottawa sweeping new powers to fast-track project permits amid a trade war with the U.S. Article content Article content The Liberals and Conservatives fast-tracked the bill through the House of Commons and it went through a rare pre-study by the Senate. Article content
