Evidence of meeting #38 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was refugees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
I think we have publicly said that 80,000 to 90,000 people are in need of resettlement, but we also take into account the capacity for processing, and given past practice, we feel that we could present in addition 25,000.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
When Kosovo happened, Canada took in 5,000. Should Canada do the same thing at the present moment? Should Canada ask the stakeholders like churches and groups like the Syrians, the Chaldeans, and everybody else if they can be master builders and take people in?
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
I think we would like that to happen.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
You think you would like, or are you urging Canada to do this, sir?
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
We would like Canada to do this, but we are looking at—
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Sir, you'd like Canada to do that, or are you urging Canada to do this?
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
I'm urging Canada to take more.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Thank you. I have no further questions, and I really appreciate your candidness, sir.
5:30 p.m.
Resettlement Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
May I add a small dimension? We are talking about UNHCR's referrals. Our challenge has been departures, so I think we're debating very much the front end of the referral process, very much the issue the high commissioner mentioned when he was in the Middle East in February. He was concerned about actual people, Iraqis departing the region.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Can you explain departures? Are these departures inside Iraq to neighbouring countries or from neighbouring countries to the destination country?
5:30 p.m.
Resettlement Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
To resettlement countries. From countries in the region, Syria and Jordan, to resettlement countries. I am talking of all resettlement countries.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for being here today; we very much appreciate your contribution.
The committee will be making recommendations in order to help Iraki refugees. There are two ways that Canada can contribute: we can provide financial resources or we can provide human resources.
According to your brief, last January you issued an appeal for $260 million but you received barely half that amount. Did Canada do its share in responding to that appeal?
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
As I was saying, Canada has always responded to calls from UNHCR. In this case, again, we're talking about specific appeals that are made, to which Canada has positively responded.
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Our needs are actually very, very big, I must say, and our needs are never fully met. So if we get more contributions, we'd be able to put them to use. As I said earlier, if we can help to sustain the situation in the region, then this will be best for the security of everyone concerned.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
With respect to taking in refugees, some witnesses spoke of delays and of the fact that the security screenings and interviews undertaken by Canada were in addition to the ones that you carry out.
I would like to hear what you have to say about that. Surely Canada is not the only country to conduct security screenings before agreeing to take in a refugee. There must be other countries that perform this additional screening.
5:30 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
No, I think security is of concern when it comes to any refugee situation. I think it is the prerogative of the states to undertake the necessary security measures in the processing and selection of the resettlement cases.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
In your opinion, does Canada, through the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, provide enough on-site resources to meet the needs of the refugees? Does the lack of resources delay the processing of refugee applications?
5:35 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
I think we need more money. We need to be better funded.
5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
I am referring to human resources, to employees who are on site to conduct the screening.
5:35 p.m.
Representative in Canada, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Oh yes. As I was saying, we are calling upon states to expedite the processing so that people could also move faster and therefore could also be resettling in higher numbers. That would lead to the call for additional human resources to process this speed.
