Citizenship and Immigration Committee on April 24th, 2018

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So when you say “deliver now”, there have been news reports that say that the IRB has sort of given up on the two-year legislated timeline. When you say “do the job”, over what time period do you mean?

[Crystal Warner]

I struggle with news reports saying that they've given up. They have done absolutely everything but give up. In fact, they're working harder than ever. Now that they're being provided with the funding to be able to meet the increased demand on the board—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Let's say that somebody illegally crosses the border from the U.S. into Canada today. I know every case is different, but what would the average time be for that person's case to be processed?

[Crystal Warner]

You'd have to ask that question to the IRB.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Okay.

Just in terms of some of the comments you've just made about being able to get that process, those are qualified by the fact that you don't have that information in front of you. Is that correct?

[Crystal Warner]

I'm qualifying my comments based on the discussions I've had with PM-6s across the country.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Okay.

What I'm trying to get at, though, as a legislator is how we allocate resources. Certainly, to be clear, we want to ensure that the IRB is functioning and doing its job quickly, because it's important when someone makes an asylum claim that we're processing that, both in fairness to the applicant and also because if people don't have valid reasons to be in Canada, they shouldn't be. I'm curious, though. You've said you think the staff you have can get the job done. Have you had any conversations about what the increased resources that you're asking for would leave in terms of efficiencies and processing time? You've made requests for more funding. In terms of metrics, based on the current volumes coming in across the border, how much is that going to reduce the processing time?

[Crystal Warner]

Those aren't stats that I track.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

We've heard numbers from 11 years to....

[Crystal Warner]

Those aren't stats that I track, so I wouldn't be able to answer that question.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So it's a request for funding without necessarily being tied to reduced times and the metrics.

[Crystal Warner]

The union is not the one putting in the request for funding before the government.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Okay, thank you for clarifying that.

In terms of actual processes or metrics—and I know the union is advocating for positive working conditions and whatnot—do you think the increase in the load that's come through has led to...? What has it done to the workplace morale right now? I'm sure it's pretty heavy in there.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

You have about 10 seconds.

[Crystal Warner]

Thank you for asking that question. We're working with the employer on addressing the mental health of the workers, which is our number one priority at this time.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Anandasangaree, there are a couple of minutes, if you'd like.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Yes, and I'm going to be directing my questions to Ms. Warner.

I would imagine your members are quite proud of the work they did with the resettlement of the Syrian refugees over the last two years. Is it accurate to say that?

[Crystal Warner]

Yes, they are.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

And was there increased workload at that time?

[Crystal Warner]

Of course.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

How did they view that? How did they undertake that project, and what legacy does that leave for your members?

[Crystal Warner]

I spoke earlier to the fact that our members have provided the IRB with countless hours of uncompensated labour, and I think that speaks to their commitment to the work they do. They should be compensated for that time.

We have brilliant staff at the IRB. We have people with master's degrees who speak multiple languages and who work at CR-4 levels. They stay at the board because of the level of dedication they have to the service they're providing to Canadians and future Canadians. I've actually never seen anything like it. They're incredibly proud of the work they do.

Thank you for the question.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

There are times in Canada when I think we'll have an increased amount of work for your members, particularly. Immigration is not static in terms of a number; it evolves. Over the last couple of years I think we've had those demands.

Do your members look at this as part of a grander vision of this country as opposed to as a chore? From what I've seen with the members I've spoken to who are part of your union, I think they were extremely motivated and they were almost fighting to fit in some of those roles during the Syrian situation. You have something. I think the union and your membership look toward immigration as something that evolves, and there are times when additional resources may be put in.

[Crystal Warner]

Of course. Our members have the same values and principles that our union does. We believe that Canada is a compassionate country. We welcome the diversity. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that our union would like to see this government suspend the safe third country agreement.