Evidence of meeting #73 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 border.
A video is available from Parliament.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Okay.
What has been CAF's involvement in that, just to clarify for the committee the whole trailer initiative?
10:25 a.m.
Director General, Operations, Strategic Joint Staff, Department of National Defence
We didn't have anything to do with the trailer initiative. We only did the provision of the tentage at the height of the emergency. They needed a solution right away, and CAF was asked to provide that temporary solution in the form of tents.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
10:25 a.m.
Director General, Operations, Strategic Joint Staff, Department of National Defence
No. Actually, the one at Nav Canada in Cornwall is being dismantled as we speak. We have dismantled one site in Lacolle, I believe, to make space for the arrival of the trailers, but there's another site that's still there to accommodate 500 people. We're waiting for the winterized solution to be provided so that we can dismantle the rest of the tents.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Has CAF been directed to do any other activities or planning for the winter months beyond what you've already stated?
10:25 a.m.
Director General, Operations, Strategic Joint Staff, Department of National Defence
The planning for the winter months is being done by Public Safety.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Thank you.
Thank you for your information as well.
Mr. Cronin, you indicated in your presentation that misinformation about Canada's asylum process and that sort of thing has been circulating in some communities. We know that MPs have gone to LA and Miami. I believe Mr. Rodriguez and Minister Hussen have been there.
Have other ministers or MPs gone to the States? If so, do you know how many?
10:25 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
In terms of MPs, I believe MP Dubourg went to Miami; MP Rodriguez went to Los Angeles, and Minister Hussen was in New York. I don't know of further plans. Global Affairs is ready to accommodate the travel down south for sure.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Thank you.
My colleague Mr. Dubourg was asking questions earlier with regard to some of those areas. I appreciate that.
There are a number of cities, as well. Can you tell me which ones and approximately how many other communities the groups have been into?
10:25 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
We have 12 consuls general across the United States: Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Miami, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. That's where the physical offices are present, but our consuls general travel around. For example, our consul general in Minneapolis is obviously taking meetings in that city but also travelling to North Dakota—things like that.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Yes. I've met them many times in our area. I'm from Manitoba, so we have looked at that.
What sort of targeting have they done in Minneapolis? That seems like a “hotbed”, if I can use the word, for those coming into Manitoba. We've had just under 900 in Manitoba, and it's been a burden for Manitoba. I believe the little town of Emerson got only $30,000 with regard to payment. Ms. Kwan was there.
I know that's the value the minister announced when he was there last spring, but when I was there, I talked to the people in the community. They were very, very concerned that this was just a drop in the bucket in terms of what it has cost them. I'm wondering if there's any further follow-up on that.
10:30 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
In terms of outreach done specifically in Minneapolis, our consul general has met with the Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. He has also met with the governor. I believe he has met with the lieutenant-governor in Minnesota, but I will have to confirm that. He's also met with some of the state representatives. In particular, there is a state representative in Minnesota from the Somali-American community. Really, this was a useful opportunity to start to build that link to see what she's hearing from the Somali-American community in Minnesota.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
I have one final question. You mentioned that you're doing a lot of work in Canada to stay in touch with the U.S. and Mexico. What do you expect out of Mexico with regard to Mexicans who may be in the United States—
10:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
We are a little over time now.
If you'd like to respond very quickly, I'll let you do that. I can give you 10 seconds.
10:30 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Sure.
Sorry, I should have clarified; the division where I work is responsible for advocacy and outreach in both the U.S. and Mexico. Really, the focus on the asylum seekers and correcting the information is taking place in the U.S.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
My question was about Mexicans illegally in the U.S., whether they—
10:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
I do need to cut you off there.
I will give the witness a few more seconds to answer.
10:30 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
It's a fair question. What we've actually asked our consuls general to do is to reach out to Mexican diplomatic representatives in the United States who have quite close ties to the Mexican-American community, again to pass them the information. We're hearing the same things the minister was hearing, that people just don't know about our system. It's really kind of an education process.
10:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Very good.
I understand that the Liberal side doesn't have more questions. They are satisfied with the answers. If there are any other questions from the opposition, I'm happy to give you a few more minutes.
Ms. Kwan.
10:30 a.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have a few other questions.
In terms of the work you're doing, Mr. Cronin, I'm wondering if human smuggling has emerged as a concern in this context. We have been hearing some stories about that, and I'm wondering whether or not that has surfaced as an issue.
10:30 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Yes, in the discussions with some of the officials, certainly in Minnesota, the conversation—to go back to your earlier point—is around the risks involved in crossing illegally and then also the potential for criminal involvement. So that's one thing we're watching.
10:30 a.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Can you share with us what you were able to learn in this process and what action is being undertaken by the government with respect to that?
10:30 a.m.
Director, North America Advocacy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
To answer the first part of your question, in the reports I've read, it's really been raised as a concern. They haven't gone into more detail than that.
In terms of actions that the government is taking, that's probably a question that is better answered by CBSA and our intelligence services.
10:30 a.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I see.
In terms of ongoing monitoring with respect to this, what would that look like?