Citizenship and Immigration committee  We have introduced some additional flexibilities into the live-in caregiver program. They're now issued with labour market opinions that are valid for 39 months. So that would allow them to enter Canada, complete their work assignment, and apply for permanent residence while remaining in status, without having to apply for a new work permit every year, which used to be the case.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We're looking at how we can streamline our processes in Vegreville, but these people would be deemed to be in status during a transition between one employer and another.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Bill C-17 is designed to provide visa officers with the tools to be able to deny a work permit to someone who may be destined to a situation of potential abuse or exploitation. This would happen overseas before the potential worker was actually in Canada. But as I mentioned earlier, the way the act and the regulations are written now, they are very directive.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Certainly with regard to the seasonal agricultural workers program, given the institutional history and the involvement of partner governments, notably Mexico and Commonwealth Caribbean governments, they've developed the expertise to be able to provide that additional support to their workers before they come to Canada, so they can counsel them on what to expect here.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In terms of systematic tracking of temporary foreign workers once they're in Canada, there is no one single mechanism that is in place to be able to track the movements of temporary foreign workers or what may happen to them. In fact, that's why we've put forward these promotional brochures for applicants to be aware of how they can help themselves, by contacting the relevant provincial authorities if they run into a difficulty.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  First and foremost, you would have to go to HRSDC to make the case that you couldn't find Canadians to do that work, and if HRSDC agreed, they would issue a labour market opinion, which would then be transferred to us at CIC, and we would then process applications for work permits.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  On the undocumented workers, again by improving the legal channels and making them more accessible for employers, we feel that we will limit the draw for people to remain in Canada illegally.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  As you're probably well aware, we have extended the duration of the temporary resident permit that is available to victims of trafficking. That's now at 180 days. That allows the trafficked victim to obtain a work permit free of charge, and it also provides them with medical coverage under CIC's interim federal health program, which would include trauma counselling as appropriate.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  There are approximately, I think, if my memory serves me, about 100 million border crossings into Canada every year. That means we would have to document everyone coming in and everyone going out, with the resources that would be required at our ports of entry to be able to do that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If it comes to light that an employer has not been abiding by the terms of the contract or has not been respecting provincial legislation, provincial authorities can take action with the employer by sanctioning them under provincial statute. If there are criminal offences that relate to the immigration status of the individual involved, the Canada Border Services Agency would take that on as part of an investigation and perhaps prosecution.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In terms of prior to a removal, for example?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The discrepancy in the numbers can partly be attributed to refusals, but I think a number of employers look at a number of options to meet their HR needs, and temporary foreign workers would be part of that strategy. In effect, sometimes an improved labour market opinion may not actually manifest itself in an application with CIC for a worker, but of course there are refusals, as you have mentioned.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chairman, I want to make it clear that under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, the final decision rests with Quebec, in so far as the impact on Quebec's labour force is concerned. If there is agreement with the opinion issued by HRSDC, Quebec issues a certificate of acceptance which is then forwarded to us.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It depends. For example, employers that have a human resources policy in place whereby they can recruit in foreign countries do occasionally join forces to recruit workers abroad. Other times—and this issue has already been raised—some employers hire workers abroad who have recruiting skills to handle this work.