Human Resources Committee on May 8th, 2020

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Ms. Kwan, thank you for the opportunity to work with you on these issues.

The short answer is that we are continuing to explore that as an option. We don't have a definite answer for you today, but we are exploring it as an option. As we discussed, in the meantime there are a variety of programs that caregivers can access to bridge them through this period and COVID-19.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you. I hope we can get an answer soon, because their 24-month work requirement is essential towards their path to permanency. If we don't count that period, it means that these workers will be further penalized and delayed in the process of reuniting them with their loved ones. Already, as it were, my view is that these workers should be allowed to come with permanent resident status on arrival. That is not the case, and this further penalizes them. I hope that you will take that into consideration.

With respect to citizenship certificates, it's been brought to my attention that there is a delay, actually long delays, for people trying to access their citizenship certificate so they can move forward with the process of coming to Canada and so on. When will normal processing of that resume?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Thank you for the question, Ms. Kwan. As you know, my department has actually made significant progress over the years at reducing backlogs when it comes to citizenship applications, but of course COVID-19 has had a very direct and significant impact on our operational capabilities.

Notwithstanding that, as I mentioned in my remarks, my department is standing up alternative processes, including the exploration of new innovative and online solutions for all of our lines of business and services, including in the area of citizenship ceremonies. You may have seen in recent days that we've had a couple of virtual ceremonies, or at least one, if I'm not mistaken. Those are the types of solutions we will continue to explore going forward.

It's important, and I'm happy to work with you on that.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you, Minister. Perhaps I will connect with you and your staff offline. I have a particular case that is stuck in the system at the moment.

It's been brought to my attention that there are some caregivers, for example, whose employers are telling them that the CERB they collect is their income, and therefore they are required to go to work. In that instance, that is clearly not the case. What should the caregivers do?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

First, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, no worker should have to go to work in dangerous conditions. That readily applies to caregivers. That's one of the reasons we have put in place protections around mandatory isolation, to protect the workers, to protect the families, to protect everyone—

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

I'm sorry to interrupt, Minister, but I'm raising a very specific example of people who are applying for CERB and are receiving CERB, and whose employer is telling them it is their income, but the employer is still requiring them to go to work.

In those circumstances, should people be filing a complaint in the vulnerable workers category and getting an open work permit? They're very scared about that. They're afraid they would lose their job if they complain about it to their employer. They worry about what would happen to them.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I was coming to that, Ms. Kwan, and I agree that it sounds very problematic. I would be happy to work with you if you are concerned about a specific case.

When it comes to occupational health and safety, that matter falls squarely within provincial jurisdiction, but there are other protections in place that we can explore together.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Yes, for specific cases, but on the whole, when that happens, should people complain to the vulnerable workers stream?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I think that if workers are being told that the Canada emergency response benefit is their income and therefore they still have to work, that is a problem, and yes, we need to address it.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you.

Some employers may want to rehire their workers because they're hoping that after COVID-19 they will be able to do so, but they might be required to apply for another LMIA. Would you consider waiving the cost of the LMIA for those employers so they are not hit twice because of this situation?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Make a short response, Minister, please.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

As you know, in some cases, particularly in the caregiver class, we have looked at waiving LMIA fees, but that program is administered by my colleague, Minister Qualtrough.I am happy to take that feedback to her to have that conversation.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Ms. Kwan. Thank you, Minister.

Now we go to Mr. Kent for five minutes, please.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thank you, Chair. I'll be splitting my time with Ms. Dancho.

Minister, given Canada's massive unemployment for the foreseeable future, and notwithstanding your comments to the Canadian Bar Association immigration law section last week that immigration will continue to be an economic driver, what is the government's scale-back planning for economic migrants and refugees for the next two years from the current immigration target of 350,000 by 2021?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Kent, I stand by the comments I made to the Canadian Bar Association, in that when you look back in history, in spite of the many challenges our country has faced, there is a very forward-looking trend that looks to leverage both the value and the economic prosperity that are driven by looking around the world for the best and the brightest. I believe that is an enduring value that will continue.

How we do that, keeping in mind our levels and our operational capacity, is of course going to be driven by the context. As we all know, we are in the midst of a pandemic, but immigration is a hallmark, and it will continue to be. I think Canadians relate to this. The journeys in coming to this country and contributing both to the social fabric and to our economy will last beyond COVID-19.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

As you know, Conservatives have always been strong supporters of a strong immigration policy. In normal times we do need immigrants to grow our society and grow our economy, but given that the economic crisis will linger long after the health crisis has passed, can Canada accommodate an additional 1% of immigrants and refugees added to our population in the foreseeable future?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

As I pointed out, the work that my department has done, notwithstanding the impacts of COVID-19, has been truly remarkable in a variety of lines of service, including continuing landings in ways that are truly innovative, and I commend our public servants for adapting to the situation.

With regard to your specific question around levels and how we will continue immigration to Canada, I have a mandate letter. That letter is very transparent, and we will continue to examine the circumstances, including the surrounding context, of Canada's response to COVID-19 as we plan for the future.

I think Canadians will support immigration, and we should all support it as parliamentarians, not just because immigration is an important policy but also because it's part of who we are. It is a part of our fabric, part of our identity, and I believe it will continue to be long after we have overcome COVID-19.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Agreed, Minister.

Time is short. I have just a quick question. When will you provide to Canadians an updated target intake figure?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Kent, being the veteran that you are, you will know that I am scheduled to provide an update in the fall. In the interim, I look forward to many more conversations with you, as my critic in this area, and all parliamentarians.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thanks.

Mr. Chair, I cede my time to Ms. Dancho.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Go ahead, Ms. Dancho, please.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, yesterday I had the opportunity to question your cabinet colleagues about small businesses in my riding that have been left behind by your government. Although they offered no answers, they insisted your government is listening to small businesses and will do everything it can to help them. However, back in February, I provided you with a letter regarding an alarming small business issue in my riding. Since then, my office has sent four more letters and emails to you about this issue.

As you may recall, the issue involves a moving and storage company in Winnipeg that, in February 2019, began moving and storing furniture for government-assisted Syrian refugees settling in Winnipeg. They were hired to do so on behalf of a Quebec-based company contracted by your department. Over a year later, payment has not been made for this contract, and nearly $25,000 is owed to my constituent, which is a considerable amount.

Given the devastation happening to small business across this country, can I have your guarantee that you and your government will move quickly to find a resolution to this issue?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

You have 30 seconds, please.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

In 30 seconds, Ms. Dancho, you have my guarantee that I will work with you and get back—