Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 15th, 2011

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just recently our government introduced the new parents and grandparents super visa. My NDP colleague in the opposition mentioned that we actually introduced that last July with the 10-year multi-entry visa, which is not correct. The new parents and grandparents super visa has significant differences, including the ability to allow grandparents and parents to come to Canada to visit with their family for extended visits up to 24 months.

Additionally, I heard in this session Ms. Sahar Zerehi reference the five-year multi-entry visa which is very similar to the 10-year multi-entry visa. But both actually only allow for people to come to Canada for visits up to six months, so there is a tremendous benefit to families to actually utilize the new parents and grandparents super visa.

In addition to that, we're here studying backlogs and we hear from witnesses again and again that it can take up to eight years for parents and grandparents to come to Canada to be reunited. In fact, Mr. Noorani, you said that during that period you had a close relative pass away. With regard to this new super visa for parents and grandparents, we're going to be able to process these applications within eight weeks, so we're talking eight years to eight weeks. This is the most generous visa ever offered in the Canadian immigration system in the history of Canada.

I just wonder, Mr. Noorani, if you can comment on that, and what your thoughts are in general on the super visa.

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

Thank you, Ms. James.

The biggest advantage is that immigrants don't want their parents to come here. They don't want to yank them out of their own social networks. My mother-in-law, before she came to Canada, had a vibrant social network. Every day she'd call up people and they'd argue about the price of chicken and eggs. She can't do that in Canada, unfortunately. So to bring them from there and uproot them....

The only reason my mother-in-law has a family-class visa is not because she wants to stay with us, but because it's so difficult.... After coming to Canada for six months, she was refused a visitor visa for two consecutive years. The third time, finally, we applied for it.

Now, the interesting thing the minister has also put in is that you would be paying for private medical. And Ms. James, may I just touch on that for a minute? Private medical is what I bought for my mother-in-law before she became a landed immigrant--the oldest one in our family to be a landed immigrant--and the amount of money I paid for private insurance is the same amount I'm paying for MSP.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Noorani.

I'm probably down to only five minutes at this point. In general, regarding the 24 months versus a previous six-month stay, do you think it's going to be appealing to families, grandparents, and parents to take advantage of the 24-month super visa, as opposed to in the past where they were only allowed the option of six months?

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

It's huge. Absolutely, because it allows you to go back and forth. This is the freedom it allows you to have. I think we've never had this kind of thing before, and I think it's great.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you.

I just wanted to touch base on the humanitarian basis, because I hear this again and again. Currently, families have to wait up to eight years to see their parents and grandparents. In many cases, parents or grandparents may die during that time or develop physical limitations that would prevent their actually travelling to Canada. Is it more humane to allow eight years' wait, or to give them the option of eight weeks to actually have that reunification with their family so they can spend time and see the parents and grandparents?

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

This is great. I think this is a lot better than what it used to be, as you said very rightly, especially when you have people coming from countries where there's a one-child policy. So when the immigrant comes here, basically two sets of parents have no social network; they have no one there. At least with this, they are able to go back and forth, spend time with the delivery of their grandchildren, hopefully, and be a part of the family unit. It's a lot better than what it used to be, without a doubt.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Additionally—and you've commented on it as well—many families do not want to come for permanent residency; they just want to come to spend time with their families. The two years is fantastic now. Do you have any idea what the percentages are, or how many people do you think would actually want to take advantage of the super visa, as opposed to waiting eight years to actually have the permanent residency?

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

Richard Kurland and I were on the same radio show on CBC, and he and I had this discussion. Richard had one set of figures. My personal thought is that your backlog will probably drop by 50% because they'd rather come here and see their family. They're longing to be part of the family. Imagine taking an entire family back to India. Each person is going to cost you $1,500 to $1,800. To take a family of four is a lot of money.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you.

How much time do I have left?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Less than two minutes.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Okay, I'll try to be quick.

This super visa is actually just one step of a four-step process for faster family reunification under our action plan. As we've said, we're actually increasing the number of permanent residencies for parents and grandparents from about 15,500 to up to 25,000 in 2012. That alone will partially reduce the backlog. We talked about a temporary pause, but that is also needed so we don't have a large flood of new applications. Additionally, that will allow us to do consultations over the next two years to actually come up with a redesigned, faster, and more sustainable program.

I've heard from Mr. Busby through the video conference here. He has also mentioned that there is no quick fix, so we understand that. You've indicated that with the new super visa you figure that maybe even 50% of the applications for permanent residency will come into play, which is key. Obviously increasing the numbers we're allowing in for the next couple of years is also key. But we also need to take a step back and really take a look at the process.

Do you actually agree with this action plan we're implementing right now?

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

I think it's a great plan. I think it's going to go a long way towards bringing us back to how we are known globally, as a compassionate nation.

I do want to ask for a clarification here of something I don't know.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We're running out of time, sir. I'm sorry; we have to end the meeting.

[Naeem (Nick) Noorani]

Okay, very quickly. I'm not sure if someone who comes on a visit visa can continue staying in the queue for the sponsorship.

I see Mr. Weston shaking his head.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm sorry, unless there's a quick statement, we've got to stop this.

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Sorry, is my time up?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Yes, it is. I'm very sorry.

As you can see, we could go on and on here. There are a lot of issues to cover, but the time has expired for the meeting and I have to conclude it.

Mr. Noorani and Mr. Busby, thank you for coming back a second time, from—when was it?—November 3. I appreciate that.

Ms. Zerehi, I pronounced your name incorrectly, I know, but I wish you well in recovering from your automobile accident.

To the three of you, on behalf of the committee, we appreciate your presentations.

This meeting is adjourned.