Citizenship and Immigration Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Ted Salci]

Exactly.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Thank you very much. Again, I appreciate both of you taking the time to testify for us today. It's much appreciated.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Dhaliwal has a brief question.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The way I see it, you said these families who come as refugees are very productive. But certain families have participated in an immigration loans program that provides government assistance to pay for transportation, medical exams, and other costs associated with the initial settlement. Recent studies have shown that these families are at a high risk of being homeless or going through family instability.

I have talked to my city councillors, and they're in support of not having this burden on these refugee families because Canada is the only country that participates in such a program. Would you have suggestions for the federal government to eliminate or rethink programs like that?

[Peter Partington]

I certainly haven't discussed that with our commissioner of corporate services, nor has he raised it with me. I guess I would just say that we're always working to ensure that the services are there to help those in need in the general population. I believe we do deliver that in the region, but it's always an ongoing matter. We continue to reach out to our provincial and federal partners to assist us in making sure that those who are in Canada and those who come to Canada receive the fair treatment and the fair opportunities they're entitled to.

[Ted Salci]

I can say, sir, in our city of Niagara Falls we don't see those people on the streets as homeless people. As the regional chair suggested, the commissioner of social services accommodates these individuals through our upper-tier government. We don't have that problem with them sitting idle. It seems that they're occupied in jobs, and certainly the potential is there for them to work in agriculture, and in the service industry as well. So we don't see them sitting on streets and park benches in our community.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I think that concludes our time, gentlemen. It's always a challenge when politicians ask other politicians questions, and you've done very well. I thank you for your contribution. Thank you very much.

This meeting's adjourned.