Canada's immigration backlog remains a significant issue, with reports indicating it is nearing 1 million, although there are conflicting accounts of whether the backlog is increasing or decreasing. The government is taking steps to address the issue, including launching a new program to grant permanent residence to foreign workers and considering aggressive measures to clear the backlog. The processing of certain permanent residence applications is expected to be fast-tracked, but some applicants may face lengthy wait times, with one report mentioning a 50-year wait.