IRCC could perhaps consider a blanket freeze on all new applications (after a cut off date) till the backlog is cleared to pre Covid levels.
Maths 101 would say that if your application acceptance rate is higher than your processing rate, the backlog will continue to grow irrespective of the mode of application - digital or paper. I'm not sure if IRCC's processing capability is increasing in the same proportion as the announcement of immigration targets.
Maybe, they have done that with express entry where it was put on hold for 2 years. But Maths 101 would also say that if the capacity isn't increased then when the faucet is opened again they're going to hit the same problem of not being able to ensure proper timely outflow of applicants. The crux of the problem is the lack of staff to process both paper and online applications. Putting things on hold only benefits applicants that are already in the system