Citizenship and Immigration Committee on March 8th, 2021

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

I don't mean to interrupt, but you can answer my question with a yes or no.

Have the application of people who are in Canada been processed on a priority basis, yes or no?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

As I told Madam Chair, we are working with the Government of Quebec to welcome not only temporary foreign workers, but also permanent immigrants—

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

I will go on to my next question, Mr. Chair.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

—to help Quebec reach its immigration objectives.

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

Minister, the responses we obtained today from officials mention the following:

In addition, the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) line of business experienced a processing pause in 2019, pre-COVID-19. This was due to the restrictions put in place by the Quebec Government on admissions and landings with respect to the limited annual levels space. This has impacted the delays in wait times to receive an AOR for QSW applicants.

Did Quebec's department of immigration, francisation and integration ask that no acknowledgement of receipt be sent?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Like I said, we are working with the Government of Quebec, even on this issue, Ms. Normandin. I had a good relationship with Minister Girault.

Our priority is to work with the Government of Quebec to welcome immigrants who can strengthen the economy. I will give you a good example. In the agricultural sector, we continue to welcome foreign workers to support Quebec's farmers. We will continue to collaborate with—

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

Minister, with all due respect, you are not answering the question.

In the response we received, the federal government says it is Quebec's fault no acknowledgements of receipt were sent, but nothing was preventing the federal government from sending acknowledgements of receipt and delaying the admission of applicants to meet Quebec's thresholds.

Why did the federal government not send any acknowledgements or receipt?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

No, on the contrary, as I said, we have a very constructive relationship with the Government of Quebec when it comes to immigration. We have an agreement according to which we transfer funds and resources to that government.

Ms. Normandin, this year, the Government of Canada will transfer over $600 million to Quebec. That is good for immigration, for the protection of French in Quebec and for francization across Canada. This is solid progress for our two governments and for Quebec, as well.

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

Having received no answers to my questions, I will move on to questions on confirmations of permanent residence.

What discussions have been held with the Minister of Public Safety or others on that issue?

In reality, non-essential travel has not been cancelled over the past year. However, people who have received a confirmation of permanent residence since March 18 cannot come to Canada, and I assure you that those people are not travelling. They are moving and committing to comply with health regulations.

So what steps have been taken to ensure that people who have received a confirmation of permanent residence can settle quickly in Canada?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

First, Madam Chair, I want to clarify my answer to the last question by saying that responses have been sent to everyone.

Second, when it comes to acknowledgements of receipt, the objective of the process is to help immigrants plan their arrival in Canada.

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

Okay. Thank you.

Regarding sponsorships, since the dual intent instructions were updated on October 30, 2020, have you noted an increase in the rate of visitor visa issuance in sponsorship cases, yes or no?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Sorry, Ms. Normandin, can you clarify your question? What category are you talking about?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

You have 15 seconds left.

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

Of course.

On October 30, 2020, your department issued instructions on dual intent to its staff. Has there been an increase in the percentage of accepted visa applications?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I will answer your question during this meeting, Ms. Normandin.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

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

Ms. Kwan, you have six minutes. You may proceed.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you very much, Minister, for coming to our committee.

Will the minister make an exemption for paragraph 179(b) for spousal sponsorship applications, looking to reunite in a time of crisis?

The fact that they have a sponsorship application should be enough collateral, as they wouldn't want to overstay their visa and put their PR application in jeopardy. This has been a very straightforward ask by separated loved ones during most of the pandemic. It requires a change only in regulation, which is within the minister's power.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I agree with the spirit of that request. That is why we issued a clarification to our officers. Where there are cases where dual intent is in question, I'm happy to work with you to see them through to resolution where we can.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

I'm looking for a policy change as opposed to case-by-case solutions. I think the minister should look at changing the regulation, so that we don't need to keep on having this conversation.

On the VFS Global issue, VFS has confirmed that the Canadian government knew right from the beginning that the visa application centre services in China was being handled by a subcontractor owned by the Beijing municipal security bureau. In response to former MP Andrew Cash, officials said there were no subcontractors. The Harper government, of course, was asleep at the switch and let this slip through. In 2018, the contract was renewed by the Liberal government and no changes were made.

Why didn't the government do its job to properly review these contracts? How can Canadians feel confident with the government's due diligence on these contracts if these important details keep falling through the cracks?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I share your concern around the risks of operating abroad. That is why we put in place a rigorous procurement process that requires the vetting of every person that works for both contractors and subcontractors. They are screened to a reliability status.

That is the same status that is applied to those government officials that work in our embassies and consuls general offices and perform similar functions. We also consult broadly across government to ensure that the equipment that is installed protects that information.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Minister, I'm going to pause you there, because even in that vetting—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Ms. Kwan. If you're asking a question, please allow the minister to answer it.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair, but I actually get to decide what questions I ask. I hope this intervention does not take away my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

No, I stopped the clock.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you.

Through that process, the minister's officials did not pick up on the basic fact that there were subcontractors.

VFS Global confirmed that the subcontractor is a state-owned company. Even though VFS has failed to answer my questions about how many CCP members work with the subcontractor, I have obtained a copy of the report of a 2017 meeting of the Shuangxiong CCP branch, showing that it elected the deputy secretary of the party branch of the Shuangxiong company.

Chinese regulations require that the party secretary and chairman of the board of a state firm with three or more CCP members be the same person. The general manager position within a state company must be filled by a deputy party secretary. Chinese regulations also state that the first role of the executives is to execute the will of the party in performing their duties.

That means the Shuangxiong company, the general manager, the subcontractor doing visa application centre work for Canada, is under the control of CCP. Effectively, Canada is letting the CCP run and operate Canada's visa application centre in China.

Is this a concern for the minister? Did the minister, in due diligence, pick this up? Given this regulation, will the minister take the immediate step to cancel the contract with VFS Global?