Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 26th, 2018

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

I have what is potentially a quick question. Both the compact for migration and the compact for refugees failed to provide any clarification on the role of the international community regarding internally displaced persons. Is the government looking for ways to better engage with these vulnerable groups, especially given what we saw with internally displaced Yazidis?

[Matt DeCourcey]

The compact on refugees specifically maintains the definition of a refugee that is in the 1951 convention, but it does provide, as does the other compact, the compact on migration, the frameworks and templates and opportunities to develop global best practices on which we can continue to work with our global partners to address the situation of internally displaced persons. I think Canada has good lessons to share with the rest of the world. In 2017 we resettled 1,400 survivors of Daesh, many of whom were Yazidi women and girls. A majority of those were internally displaced persons, so we do have the ability to respond quickly when we know a situation of vulnerable IDPs exists. I think by being at the table on these two compacts, we are better able to understand situations as they develop, both with people crossing borders and with people being displaced within their own countries.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

Thank you.

Now we have Mr. Tilson, for five minutes.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. Greene, will the global compact on refugees affect how private sponsors select those they wish to select?

[Susan Greene]

No, there will be no impact on the selection of refugees by the privately sponsored refugee stream. On the compact, as has already been stated today, it's very clear that Canada is a world leader in the space of resettling refugees. What we call upon other countries to do is to follow our lead and to open up additional spaces for resettlement. At this point, there will be no changes anticipated for our privately sponsored refugee stream.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

The United Nations says there should be changes.

[Susan Greene]

That's a very interesting question. The fact of the matter is that the international community has come together to reaffirm the importance of the 1951 convention, which defined “refugee”. At this point I would say that hasn't happened in the negotiations. It has not been raised, and I would—

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

However, it could happen. Because of this agreement that the Prime Minister is going to sign, it could happen.

[Susan Greene]

The important thing we'd like to point out, and it's fundamental for both compacts, is that this is a non-binding agreement. There's nothing that the United Nations would do that would force them to do anything.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

It doesn't matter. It could happen. That's my question.

I realize it has been said over and over by all of you that this is non-binding, but it is an agreement. The Government of Canada is signing an agreement, so the question I have is that even though it's non-binding, there are political pressures. The United Nations officials could say this is what it....

I just pick private sponsors as an example. The policy with respect to private sponsors could change, and should change, and if Canada doesn't change it, well, I would think there will be problems.

[Susan Greene]

I'd like to refer you to the parliamentary secretary.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

No, I don't want to refer to him. I'm asking you, Ms. Greene, because you're—

[Matt DeCourcey]

I would ask, would the Conservatives propose that we step away from the table and not have any—

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. DeCourcey—

[Matt DeCourcey]

When these conversations are taking place—

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. DeCourcey, I'm not asking you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

May I call you to order?

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

I'm not asking Mr. DeCourcey a question. I'm asking Ms. Greene.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

The witnesses can choose who will answer the question. That is the standard rule.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

No, I don't want Mr. DeCourcey—

[Matt DeCourcey]

I was quite clear that this is not a treaty. This is a non-binding instrument and we have an important role to play in having a voice at the table—

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chairman, Mr. DeCourcey is not a member of the cabinet.

I don't want to hear from him.

[Matt DeCourcey]

—to ensure that we can help coordinate efforts by the global community to help address what is a pressing global challenge.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

I don't want to hear from you. You're not a member of cabinet, you're a parliamentary secretary.

I'm asking the staff, who have obviously advised the Prime Minister on this, whether the pressure would be made for the Government of Canada to change its policy, and I specifically referred to private sponsors, but it could be something else.

I'll ask another question—this is to you, Ms. Greene—on whether the global compact for refugees affected the blended visa office referral process.

[Susan Greene]

Again, in that case, no, the compact has no impact on the blended visa office referral program because in all cases we are fundamentally working with the definition of a “refugee”, which is one that has been reaffirmed through this process and is standing on the shoulders of the important work done in 1951.

From a government official's perspective, the Government of Canada has the sovereign right to develop its own policies. When it comes to the private sponsors—