Evidence of meeting #78 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was kingsley.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:15 p.m.
A voice
There's no objection.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
If there's no objection we are fine.
The time is up, Madam Kwan.
Now we'll go to the next round. Here we go to my dear friend Mr. Maguire. Finally, it's your turn.
October 24th, 2023 / 5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
One of the most troubling aspects, Ms. Kingsley, that has come to light is the ability of fraudulent immigration consultants to exploit the current system of IRCC issuing study permits. When the deputy minister of IRCC appeared before the committee here this spring, she confirmed there is no actual data-sharing agreement between the designated learning institutions and the IRCC. Is that still the case, yes or no?
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Right now, in the processing of applications, if an officer has a doubt about the validity of a letter of acceptance, we do actually reach out directly to the DLI to ask them to either validate that letter of acceptance or invalidate it, so we do have an “ad hoc based on officer review” sharing of information with the DLIs. We also have a compliance reporting regime whereby DLIs report to us twice a year on student attendance. As the minister said earlier this afternoon, we are looking at enhancing that system, and he will be making an announcement later this week.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Is there no automatic way to determine if the student has been issued a study permit, without someone manually contacting the designated learning institution to confirm the letter of acceptance?
I have a number of questions, so can you be concise in your answer, please?
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Currently that is based on officer review on an individual basis and not done automatically.
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
No, there currently is not.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Has the minister of IRCC directed the department to create data-sharing agreements between designated learning institutions and IRCC if there isn't one now? Is that what they're announcing or is it...?
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We are right now looking at sharing more information with designated learning institutions, and I believe we already have the authorities to do that. I don't think we need information-sharing agreements, necessarily. We do share information with them on an ad hoc basis when there's a doubt around fraud, and we will be enhancing that shortly.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
I'm just looking into whether the minister has given that kind of direction or not, as a new minister in this department.
Has the minister also directed the department to contact all of the designated learning institutions to have them immediately contact the department if a student shows up at their campus without a legitimate letter of acceptance?
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The minister has been very clear in directing us to look at the overall international study program, to increase integrity, to address student vulnerability and to develop a recognized institution model.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Has the minister directed the department to do that, though?
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic, Family and Social Migration, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The minister has clearly directed us to do work on the study program, and the way that we achieve those goals is being worked on right now.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Does the IRCC keep track of when international students change their designated learning institution once they've already arrived in Canada? There are a number of them who change the area that they want to go to. Does IRCC keep track of that?