Citizenship and Immigration Committee on April 8th, 2014

[Fraser Richards]

So although there is a bit of proof placed upon the applicant, for the spouse who has been the victim, the level is quite low. It does not require a criminal prosecution. As a basis we can go as low as statutory declarations from independent people who are qualified in the field.

[Jasbir Sandhu, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

In other words, it's not a long, rigorous court procedure you have to go through.

[Lynda Byrne]

No.

[Jasbir Sandhu, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Thank you.

[Christine Hyndman]

No, it's quick, and the statutory declaration can be someone from a women's refuge, for example, or a doctor, nurse, counsellor, or social worker.

[Jasbir Sandhu, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

What percentage of the spouses sponsored in New Zealand would you say are financially independent?

[Christine Hyndman]

We don't count that. We don't have a minimum income threshold for sponsoring. We don't require the New Zealander even to assume sponsorship obligations. So it's not something that we measure at all. We could, however, in fact, look at it, because we have a research database that amalgamates text data with immigration data and some other government databases. So we could ask our researchers to see how many people paid tax within their first couple of years of being in New Zealand, and how much tax they paid. But yes, that's a very interesting question. Thank you.

[Jasbir Sandhu, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

In order to sponsor a spouse from another country, does New Zealand require a language requirement or education requirement from the person who's being sponsored?

[Lynda Byrne]

No.

[Christine Hyndman]

No.

[Jasbir Sandhu, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Great.

What measures, if any, is your government taking to enhance economic and employment opportunities for immigrant women?

[Christine Hyndman]

We have a broad settlement strategy, which is not specifically aimed at partners but which does have aspects that are aimed at women or people who are, for example, likely to be remaining at home with caring responsibilities during the first period of time in New Zealand. So there's a lot of emphasis on providing information. There's an Office of Ethnic Affairs, which has a big community-support responsibility. There is settlement information provided by Immigration New Zealand, a lot of which is aimed at helping people to help themselves find their way within the community. There is also a lot of focus on employer readiness, so community readiness, that good settlement is not just something for the migrant, it is also for the community to be prepared, be aware of potential difference, be able to build on that difference for the benefits that diversity brings. But we don't have anything that is a specific program for partners.

I think some of this is a difference of scale. We're only 4.5 million people. We have a population that is about 25% overseas-born. So we don't have very large communities of particular ethnic groups, in general. But everywhere people go, they will see other people who weren't born in New Zealand.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe]

Mr. McCallum, you have the floor.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you.

I too would like to thank you all for being here.

We've been struggling with a problem, and I get the impression you might have come fairly close to solving it. One problem we have is that if a Canadian has his wife come to Canada, they are required to live together for two years. There's an asymmetry in the power relationship, because if there's abuse or violence, then the one who has come in from a foreign country is at risk of being deported. So that gives the husband, in this case, a lot of power over the woman because he might abuse her but she won't complain because she might otherwise be deported. If she does complain, in Canada I think the process is expensive and very time-consuming in order to be allowed to stay in this country. So for many the cost is prohibitive, so the domestic violence goes on and is unreported.

Now, in your case, if I understand it correctly, the couple has to live together in New Zealand for one year. Is that right?

[Christine Hyndman]

Yes. They may have lived overseas for one year. It's just the relationship must involve one year.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Because in your presentation, I thought the one year could occur before they come to New Zealand.

[Christine Hyndman]

It can occur in New Zealand, yes.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

But it doesn't have to.

[Christine Hyndman]

No. If we have a New Zealander who has been living overseas, for example, and was married overseas, and lived together for a year or more overseas with their partner, the partner can apply for residence before they even enter New Zealand.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

One difference is that in Canada, they have to live together in Canada for two years. In New Zealand, it's up to one year or less if they've lived together previously.

[Christine Hyndman]

Yes.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

The other big difference from what I understand—and I'd like to ask you this—is if there is domestic violence, assuming it's the woman who is being abused, she has a relatively quick and not terribly onerous process by which she is likely to be allowed to stay in New Zealand, because I think I heard you say, 66% of the applicants were accepted. How long would it take?

[Fraser Richards]

I guess we should distinguish this. It's relatively easy to get a work visa after the relationship has broken down. However, there is a more onerous, rigorous process to go through in order to be granted permanent residence in New Zealand.

[Christine Hyndman]

But it's still 66% getting residence, though.

[Fraser Richards]

That's right.