Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Dec. 5th, 2006

[Janet Siddall]

We're aware of that. It will be coming shortly. It's currently being reviewed in the department.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Given that this is your responsibility, how do you assess the work done by PRRA officers, and what criteria do you use?

[Janet Siddall]

In terms of the management of any of our programs, there's the ongoing review by supervisors of performance. In the PRA process we use a case-management process. We have ongoing training. We do case studies and best practices. So through that process we are continually evaluating the decisions that have been taken.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Very well. Is it true that the training manual of PRRA decision-makers contains only examples of negative PRRA cases, and that there are no examples that could lead to positive decisions?

In the latest training manual that I saw, there were only negative cases and examples. Could you talk to us about the kind of information that those people receive?

[Janet Siddall]

I don't have that level of detail of information with me this morning. But again, we'd be happy to research that for you and get back to you.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

The statistics that I have show that, out of all PRRA applications, approximately 500 were approved over the past year, whereas 15,000 were refused. The approval rate therefore is about 3%. Is that correct?

[Janet Siddall]

In terms of the general consultations with the provinces on our immigration program writ large, this is raised. I don't believe--I will certainly ask the question--that there has been a discussion such as who's in favour, who is opposed. There are discussions about making the refugee determination process more effective. And certainly the provinces are equally concerned, as we are, and as this committee is, in making it the most effective program possible.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Quebec is in favour of the Refugee Appeal Division. Would you agree to funding to establish a Refugee Appeal Division for Quebec?

[Janet Siddall]

That's an interesting question, which I'm not able to answer. It's a policy question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

That's a policy question, and you probably wouldn't be able to comment on that.

You do have two minutes left, Madame Faille, if you want to pursue it.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

How come you are here to talk about the Refugee Appeal Division? Is it because the IRB recommended that you do not establish the Refugee Appeal Division?

[Micheline Aucoin]

The refugee claim policy is set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, in consultation, of course, with—

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

I will rephrase my question. Did the IRB recommend that you delay or put off the establishment of the Refugee Appeal Division?

[Micheline Aucoin]

No.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

I have one more brief question. With regard to decisions made on humanitarian grounds, what importance is given, in the application, to the presence of Canadian children?

[Janet Siddall]

Again, I don't have that level of detail available. I'm not sure it would be available in the way that our systems capture the agency applications.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Are you aware that Canada is currently removing Canadian children and sending them to countries where their parents are threatened?

[Janet Siddall]

An applicant has the pre-removal risk assessment. If it is determined that the applicant would not be at risk from being returned to their home country and they have exhausted all the legal avenues and due processes available to them, then Canada would remove them.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

You are therefore removing Canadian children. That is what you're saying.

[Janet Siddall]

No, you cannot remove Canadian citizens; it's the parents' choice. The children can accompany their parents or the children have a right to remain in Canada because they're Canadian citizens.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Siksay is next.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you for being with us this morning. I appreciate your coming.

I want to come back to the question of the RAD. On page 5 of your presentation this morning you talked about the cost of the RAD. The figures you have today are different from the ones presented in the past. Is it correct to assume that the department has reviewed the cost of the RAD recently?

[Micheline Aucoin]

Yes. We have looked at the cost, especially, for example, the cost to the provinces, because social assistance rates have increased since the last time we presented here. But by and large they are similar issues in terms of the federal level--the cost remaining at the IRB, but there were also costs of the CIC for the interim federal health, for example.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

In the past, ministers have told us it would be $2 million to establish it and $8 million a year to run it. The figure here is now $12 million a year--that's a 50% increase. Can you explain the reason for the increase in the annual operation for the RAD?

[Micheline Aucoin]

The $2 million start-up cost is the start-up cost of the IRB and the $8 million a year is the yearly operations at the IRB. The $2 million and the $8 million only include the IRB; there are other federal costs, mainly to CIC for the IFH, the interim federal health program.