Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2020

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Surrey—Newton, BC]

Do you think that you will not only—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Mr. Dhaliwal, but your time is up.

Each party can have two minutes before we end this panel. We can start with the Conservatives.

Mr. Allison is next. You have two minutes for your questions.

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. My colleague didn't give me much time, but you gave me an extra two minutes. I appreciate that.

My question is on one of the challenges that I always have, Deputy Minister. I have a number of businesses in my riding that need technical support from time to time. The challenge has always been on the essential versus non-essential opportunity to get people with permits into the country on a temporary basis.

I know that they have to self-quarantine and do all those other kinds of things, but in my thought process, here's the challenge. For example, I had a greenhouse that burned to the ground over Christmastime. The people had to rebuild the whole facility. To bring in special equipment, we needed people to come in from Holland to help train them on those kinds of things. While they weren't doing food products per se, where I would have deemed them as essential, obviously it was very important that this get back up and running.

I have a number of situations. I can count at least half a dozen situations of a technical nature where we've struggled to get people in to help train the trainer. Do you have any thoughts on how we can do a better job of getting those types of technical experts into the country?

I've just taken a minute of my two minutes.

[Catrina Tapley]

Thanks for that.

I should note that in the national interest exemption letters that have been issued, the vast majority have been for technical assistance, I think in the way which the member has described.

The other thing is that we are always looking for ways to improve our business, particularly when it comes to Canadian businesses that rely on others to come in and repair the equipment; they're there, and it's part of the essential service.

The global skills strategy has been a bit of a game-changer in that regard, but for those who are coming through on shorter times, it's something that we want to continue to look at and to work closely on with our partners at ESDC to make sure it's done in a timely way.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Your time is up.

We will now move onto Madame Martinez Ferrada.

You have two minutes.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'll start by commending the work of the entire team at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. I know that you have all been hit hard by this pandemic, which has affected a number of aspects of your daily work. I believe that you have ultimately succeeded in finding innovative responses. You have stepped outside your regular work environment.

I know that we don't have much time left. However, I want to hear your views on this topic.

In terms of immigration and the immigration process, in your opinion, what are the most innovative measures that you implemented and the measures that you want to keep or push even further?

[Catrina Tapley]

Thank you for your question, Ms. Martinez Ferrada.

Perhaps our most innovative measures relate to citizenship, with the virtual ceremony.

Sorry, but I'll continue in English, Ms. Martinez Ferrada.

The online citizenship test, I cannot begin to say how happy I am that we have launched this.

When I joined the department for the first time almost 10 years ago, we were talking about how we might do it, and we're distressed that took us as long as it did, but we're happy it's launched. This is a game-changer for our business and where we want to go in this area.

The other pieces are where we pick up bits and pieces of digital applications. Parts of the other innovations have been around those student permits. How do we hold on to that really important industry for Canada and, frankly, a really important source of immigration for Canada? One thing that we did as a halfway measure was the partial assessment of applications so that universities and colleges could continue to—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Deputy Minister. We will have to move to the next member.

We will now have Madame Normandin for two minutes.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Tapley, I'll follow up on the answer that you gave to Ms. Kwan regarding when the calculation of the processing time for applications begins. For example, if a file is incomplete, if it's returned, if the applicant adds documents, if the file comes back, if it's returned, the time really starts when the file first arrives, right? It doesn't start when the file is considered complete.

[Catrina Tapley]

That's a good question. I'll need Mr. Mills' help.

[Daniel Mills]

Okay.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

To make things clear, in the case of a temporary residence application, we review the application when it's complete. Each time the departments share information, for example, if the biometrics are missing, the processing time stops. The time starts again when we receive the information or when the file is considered complete.

For a permanent residence application, the member is right. The clock starts when the application arrives at the department. First, we acknowledge receipt of the application. We then check whether all the information is included. If the application must be returned to the client, this obviously adds time to the processing of the application.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you.

We will now have our last round of questioning by Ms. Kwan.

Ms. Kwan, you have two minutes, and then we will end the panel.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you very much.

I want to go back to the deputy on the question about the IRCC lower targets so she can finish her thoughts on that.

[Catrina Tapley]

Thanks.

On the lower targets, I'm looking at the multi-year levels plan now. Because we have a higher number for 2021, we wanted to make sure that there was a range. Also we're dealing with many unknowns for 2021, one of which is when the border will reopen. That's been a particular impediment to our ability to meet levels in 2020. How aggressive we can be and where we can be around our levels plan will depend on a number of unknown factors. Given those unknown factors, that's where we see a broader range.

Our targets, however, remain our targets, and we will do everything in our power to meet them.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

I noted this because the lower numbers really reflect that there's a real possibility that IRCC would not be able to fall within range if we kept the same lower targets as previous years. That's why it's been reduced by about 20,000.

Moving on to a different issue, on COPRs, last week we were told that there's a system in place for expired COPRs. In the constituency case, as recently as November 27, IRCC call centre told our office that any application regarding the renewal of COPR won't be reviewed until the Dublin VAC reopens. We're running into that situation where we've just been told, “We don't know”. When can we expect the VAC to be reopened?

I saw you shaking you head, Deputy. Does that mean that's wrong information, that in fact people are actively being called? I have two cases right now in my system of people who are not being called, and they don't know what's going to happen to their case. We don't know, either, because we can't find an answer.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Ms. Kwan, I'm sorry for interrupting, but your time is up.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

May I get a quick response from the deputy?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Deputy Minister, would you like to respond?

[Catrina Tapley]

I think we're struggling with very similar terms, and I worry a bit about that in the advice that's coming back. Regarding the Dublin visa application centre, I'll get back to the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

We are now at the end of our second panel.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our officials for appearing before us and providing important information. This year and the last nine months have not been easy, but I want to take this moment to thank you, on behalf of all Canadians, for stepping up and being there.

I represent a very diverse riding, and I know there have been many requests coming to my office in the last nine months, so I can just imagine how many requests you would have received. Thank you for being there for Canadians. Your work means a lot. On behalf of all members, thank you.

Stay safe.

The meeting is adjourned.