On September 16, 2025, CBC News featured our principal lawyer, Wei William (Will) Tao, in a segment examining growing concerns over Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) use of computer-assisted decision-making tools.
The report noted that many applicants and immigration professionals are receiving refusal letters that don’t seem to align with the evidence submitted, raising doubts about whether cases are being thoroughly reviewed.
In recent years, IRCC has introduced systems such as advanced data analytics and Chinook to manage high volumes of applications. While these tools are designed to improve efficiency, concerns have been raised about whether their use may affect fairness and the quality of decision-making.
Will Tao, who completed his master’s thesis on IRCC’s use of technology, shared his perspective on how these tools are shaping the immigration process. He cautioned that when applications are processed in “bulk,” the risk is that individual circumstances may not receive the attention they deserve.
As Will explained:
“This bulk and blanket treatment of individuals definitely has had a negative impact on the system. What it does do is it alters decision-making.”
At Heron Law Offices, we believe every client’s story is unique and deserves a careful, individualized review. Will’s continued research and advocacy aim to ensure that technology in immigration decision-making is used responsibly, without compromising fairness or transparency.
Watch Will’s interview clip on CBC’s The National here
