Debates of Nov. 21st, 1996

Val Meredith Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC

Can the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration indicate the relative importance of personal suitability in the selection process under the point rating system and for the screening of sponsored family members other than spouses and children?

Lucienne Robillard Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

A maximum score of 10 units for Personal Suitability is possible under the current points system for assessment of independent immigration applicants. An independent applicant must score at least 70 points to pass the assessment. By comparison, the maximum scores available for the other selection criteria are:

1. Education 16 2. Specific Vocational Preparation 18 3. Experience 8 4. Occupational Demand 10 5. Arranged Employment or Designated Occupation 10 6. Demographic Factor 8 7. Age 10 8. Knowledge of English and French Languages 15

Since the point rating system is only applied to members of the Independent and Business Classes of immigrants, neither the Personal Suitability criterion nor any of the other criteria in the point rating system are applied to sponsored family members.

Question No. 85-

Val Meredith Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC

Can the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration provide statistical breakdown by classes, for the last five years ending March 31, 1996, of all applicants who have been granted entry visas without oral examinations?

Lucienne Robillard Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Table 1 provides a statistical breakdown by category for persons granted immigrant visas and/or Minister's Permits to enter Canada without a selection interview. Figures cover only applicants processed for permanent residence at overseas missions. The figures are for the total number of persons, including spouses and dependent children.

Table 2 gives the number of persons for whom the interview was waived as a percentage of total persons issued immigrant visas or Minister's Permits.

No statistics are maintained for applicants for visitor visas, student authorizations, employment authorizations or returning resident permits who are issued visas and/or permits without an interview.

Table 1

Table 2

Paul Zed Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Madam Speaker, if Question No. 49 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.

Pat O'Brien London—Middlesex, ON

For the past two years, which departments, agencies or crown corporations have ( a ) contributed funding to UNICEF and ( b ) in what amounts?

Return tabled.

Chuck Strahl Fraser Valley East, BC

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to ask the government representative when we could expect an answer to Question No. 9

put by my hon. colleague from Kindersley-Lloydminster. It has been on the paper since February. Normally we would expect a timely response; I think 45 days is what is expected. That question has been on the paper for a long time. Does the member have any idea when we might expect an answer?

Paul Zed Fundy Royal, NB

Madam Speaker, I am sorry I do not have a specific answer on when that question will be returned to the House. It is a very large question, a request that goes to all government departments. I have been informed that it is in the final stages of being revised. I hope we can have that information soon.

I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

Sharon Hayes Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

moved:

That, in the opinion of this House, the government should provide tax fairness for all Canadian families by extending the Child Care Tax deduction to all families of all income levels and converting it to a credit, thereby removing the tax bias against parents caring for their own children.

Chuck Strahl Fraser Valley East, BC

Madam Speaker, on a point of order, the first two speakers from the Reform Party, the members for Port Moody-Coquitlam and Mission-Coquitlam, will be splitting their time.