Evidence of meeting #65 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was irb.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Mr. McKenna, New Brunswick used to have a program for post-secondary students that offered a tuition rebate for graduates who remained in the province for a certain period of time following graduation. The current government cancelled that program as a cost-cutting measure. I don't know whether you're aware of it, but as a result of that, it appears that graduates have even less of an incentive to remain in New Brunswick. Can you comment on that?
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
It has been a long time since I was premier.
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
I keep in touch. I also keep in touch on the Energy East project, by the way, since I was one of the architects of it.
Conservative
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
—in answering your question.
The answer is this. My understanding is that, as part of a program of reducing tuition across the board, the Government of New Brunswick made a change in that direction.
I want to amplify what I said, and what Ray Ivany and I both believe. The university community, however it is structured, needs to be part of the solution here. They have a huge reservoir of international students, many of whom like our communities and would like to stay in our communities.
None of us are satisfied with the status quo at present. All of us want to see some improvement. We are recommending some modest ideas as to how we could retain some of those people in our communities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Thank you, Mr. McKenna.
Ms. Kwan, you have seven minutes, please.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I thank all the witnesses for their presentations.
I have a number of issues I want to touch on, but let me begin with this. We've heard from previous panels about the importance of immigration and what immigration can do to strengthen the economy of communities. Of course, we've also heard that there are limitations with respect to that, as well.
I am a firm believer that immigration can help build a nation. In fact, immigration did build our nation, and I am very proud of that, given that this is our 150th anniversary. To that end, with respect to the Atlantic provinces, there are some measures in place.
My first question for the witnesses is this. Would you agree that we should open up immigration even more? As it stands right now, we have a limit on our levels plan of 300,000. The government's own expert panel, which they consulted, was recommending 450,000. I'm wondering whether you would agree that we should open that up beyond 300,000. Perhaps I could just get a quick answer from the witnesses.
I will start with you, Mrs. Lockhart.
Liberal
Alaina Lockhart Liberal Fundy Royal, NB
Thank you, Ms. Kwan.
We are fortunate in Atlantic Canada to have had the opportunity, through the pilot program, to invite 2,000 additional applications. Those applications will allow families to come with any newcomers to the Atlantic provinces.
We have a mechanism right now. I think it's a good way to test whether that works and what the economic impact will be. If you consider 2,000 people—
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Sorry, could I cut in there? Do you agree that our levels plan should be increased beyond 300,000?
Liberal
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Is that a yes or a no? Sorry, I'm confused. Could you clarify that for me?
Liberal
Alaina Lockhart Liberal Fundy Royal, NB
Sure.
I think it needs to be done properly. If it is done properly, there may be an opportunity to increase those levels.
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
I've looked at your previous testimony, and I am appreciative of your support for our particular plight in Atlantic Canada. I am supportive of your statement, as well. I don't have the same strictures as elected members do on this, but I think that increased immigration would be good for our country.
NDP
President and Vice-Chancellor, Acadia University
Thank you.
My only proviso on that is what we need a robust analysis of our receptor capacity. It clearly does us no good if we increase the level and don't have the capacity to settle those individuals.
With that caveat, my view is similar to Mr. McKenna's.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you.
I'll move on to another quick question.
We have the Atlantic growth strategy. On that committee or that body, the leadership committee, we have the premiers of the four provinces and five members of the federal cabinet.
Mr. McKenna, you raised the issue around immigration, as well as temporary foreign workers, as a key piece. Yet, none of those cabinet ministers are at that table. It just strikes me as odd and strange. Do you think there should be an amendment in terms of that representation?
These are key questions. If they're not at that table driving the issue.... I've been in cabinet before. You have to drive the issues in order to make a thing happen. Otherwise, it isn't going to happen.
In relation to temporary foreign workers, shouldn't we move beyond temporary foreign workers? As you said, Mr. McKenna, those people returning year after year are not temporary. Let's be real. Let's just call them what they are—permanent residents. Should we not create a pathway immediately with respect to that?
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
Yes. On your last point, I agree that we should be creating a pathway. People who have spent years working in our communities are probably the low-hanging fruit among those we can attract and retain.
On your first point, I'm not sure if I completely understand it. We had four cabinet ministers as part of the Atlantic growth strategy. They're all at the federal cabinet table, and as a result of their work, they were able to get this Atlantic pilot initiative, which gives us 2,000 more immigrants than we had a year ago.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I guess my point about that is that the immigration minister is not at that table and neither is the minister responsible for the temporary foreign workers program, which seem to me pretty key components to—
Deputy Chair, Corporate Office, TD Bank Group
You mean to be part of the Atlantic growth table?