Evidence of meeting #72 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 recording is available from Parliament.
Deputy Chairperson, Refugee Protection Division, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
The claimants are responsible for maintaining their files up to date. Like any court procedure, you would always be responsible to that tribunal for your information. These are very official processes with the claimants.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
You were saying there were 8,000 crossings since September 1, or was it July 1?
Deputy Chairperson, Refugee Protection Division, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
That's the number that had been referred to us since July 1, and we don't keep the statistics about the number of people crossing. We only become seized with the matter when the referral has been by CBSA or IRCC. Our data are always about our caseload, not about the number of people who have interfaced with IRCC or CBSA.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Thank you, Ms. Miller.
We have just a few minutes left. I'm going to arbitrarily suggest that we split it between Ms. Kwan and Ms. Khalid: two minutes and two minutes.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
With the legal analysis that's been completed, can you confirm that the findings are consistent with what the officials' findings are, and that the United States is a safe country for asylum seekers?
Director, Asylum Policy, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes. Correct.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Okay.
With respect to the ad hoc committee, in terms of the work that's under way, clearly there are huge implications for provinces in a variety of ways. We are processing cases through the IRB with a wait time of 16 months at this moment.
In terms of the provinces trying to manage the situation, first off, the CBSA in my last meeting confirmed that they have provided resources to Montreal to deal with the temporary housing situation. Have additional resources been given to any other provinces—namely Manitoba and B.C.?
Director General, Operations Sector, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
No. Although when we see spikes like we did in Manitoba earlier in the year, we will reassign staff in order to handle those volumes to our regional offices and/or the port of entry.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
But the community on the ground did not have additional resources. I visited Manitoba, and the NGOs on the ground who had to deal with this situation did not get any additional resources from the federal government to deal with the housing situation.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
There was one investment that I do recall. We can get the particulars for the committee. I know that Minister Goodale went to Manitoba back in the winter—
NDP
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
—and there was an investment given to the local town, I think.
We can get that information for you.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
If we could get a breakdown of all the dollars given to all the different provinces, how much and for what stream, that would be appreciated. In British Columbia, for example, I know that the shelters are full, but they have had no resources, as far as I know. I would like to have that confirmed, if possible.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Thank you.
I'm looking for some more points of clarification. When a person makes an entry into the country, CBSA is their first point of contact if they haven't applied for asylum yet. At that point, does the CBSA make the determination on whether they're admissible or inadmissible, and then they're moved on to the next step at which point they are able to apply for asylum? Is that correct?
Perhaps you can explain how it works. I'm trying to understand the relationship between CBSA and IRCC.
Deputy Chairperson, Refugee Protection Division, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
CBSA and IRCC are both accountable for eligibility determination to know whether or not they're going to refer a case to the IRB to be considered for refugee determination or if the person is in need of protection. That process is done, under normal circumstances, either at a port of entry or at an inland office. If it's at a port of entry, CBSA officers will do it. If it's at an inland office, IRCC officers will do it.
The claim is made in order to trigger that eligibility interview. Then their determination is whether or not it is a matter that will have to be heard by a tribunal.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Okay.
I know that in Canada we don't get the same volume of refugees as other countries in Europe, let's say, or other countries around the world. Are there lessons we can take from other countries in terms of how we deal with our refugees and how we integrate them into the country?
Director General, Operations Sector, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The short answer is, yes, we have regular contacts. We belong to multinational, binational, and tri-national organizations. We engage regularly with the Americans, who have a lot of experience on their southern border. We talk with our European colleagues constantly about lessons learned.
Again, we are positioned overseas at IRCC around the world, so that communication is continual.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Thank you very much. That brings our meeting to a close.
Thank you very much, witnesses. You've been very helpful and very thorough.
Thank you, committee, for the quality of your questions.
The meeting is adjourned.