Citizenship and Immigration Committee on May 13th, 2008

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Linklater, you provided me figures that showed there were fewer applications. You can go back to Mrs. Anastasia Chyz and she will provide you with the same figures.

Nobody has disputed the figures I have put out—the parliamentary secretary in the House did not dispute them. They show that it has taken longer under this watch in certain ports to come to Canada. Fifty percent of our applicants come from six posts: Hong Kong, Beijing, Manila, South Asia—which includes Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka—and the Middle East. It's taking 10% longer to come to Canada under this administration than it did under previous ones.

[Richard Fadden]

That's correct. One reason is the additional security measures that we've put in place. In the case of 10 new countries, since April 1 we've been requiring additional checks from CSIS and CBSA. This does take time.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Are we taking extra time in Beijing?

[Richard Fadden]

No, in Beijing I think we're already there.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

In Beijing, your applications have gone up by 48%, while the applications put in dropped by 41%. Can you explain that to me, please?

[Richard Fadden]

In detail, no, I can't, but the fraud rate for that part of the world is in some cases over 50%. It takes a long time to work through these applications and to make sure that the people we want are the people we're getting.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

This takes 48% longer than in previous years?

[Richard Fadden]

I actually—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Did the fraud start in 2006, or was there actually fraud before that?

[Richard Fadden]

It's getting worse in large parts of the world. This is a very popular country to come to, and other countries are taking—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Fadden, am I to understand that the fraud rate all of a sudden increased under the Conservatives? Is this what you're saying, sir?

[Richard Fadden]

I am taking absolutely no note of whether the Conservatives or the Liberals are in office. It is irrelevant to me.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

In 2006 and 2007, in spite of ministers who are not pushovers, it's taking longer to come to this country. From Beijing it's taking 48% longer. These are figures you're not disputing. I'm asking you why this is happening. If you're telling me it's because of security issues, tell me what changed between 2005 and 2006.

[Richard Fadden]

We've added 10 countries to the requirement—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

You didn't add China.

[Richard Fadden]

I know, but you asked me a question and I'm trying to answer it. We've added 10 countries since April 1 to the list of applicants, which has to be submitted to the security agencies—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

On April 1—

[Richard Fadden]

—which we did not do before this year.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I'm not talking about this year. I'm talking about 2006-07, when the processing time out of China went through the roof. Yet, you probably have either fewer staff or the same number of staff over there.

[Richard Fadden]

It's about the same.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

So why is it taking longer than it did before?

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Fadden, that's the last comment to you on that round.

[Richard Fadden]

I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Okay. Good. Thank you.

We'll go to Mr. Komarnicki and then to Mr. Wilson.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

We talked about permanently landed newcomers, which is one issue. But there were also the new arrivals last year. I know there were a lot of temporary foreign workers—I think about 112,000-plus—and foreign students who arrived. What was the total number of people processed as new arrivals in Canada? Maybe you could give us some data on that and tell us how it breaks out, if you have it.