Evidence of meeting #19 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:50 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We can definitely follow up with the correspondence that you submitted to the minister, or directly with your office in terms of the two specific cases. We can surely do that; that's no problem.
With regard to the impact to the employer in this case, I'm going to refer your question to Marian Campbell Jarvis.
6:50 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Just in light of time, I wonder if we can get that response submitted to the committee so that everyone can take a look at that as well.
I'm going to move on to another question. How long does it take for IRCC...? Does IRCC envision that we will be getting back to normal processing standards with respect to AORs? This is about one year behind time. Caregivers have seen some of the most drastic increases in the number of days to receive their AORs: from 39 days to 344 days. I'm wondering when we can expect normal processing times, and what is being done about that right now? Finally, does the three-day hotel quarantine apply to caregivers?
6:50 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
As has been stated, we are working really hard to ensure that we can continue to process all the applications in the business lines we are receiving. We have prioritized those where people are permitted to enter Canada for reasons of work, for example, as per the caregiver program. These continue to be priority processing.
I will ask Dr. Giles to give you a little more precision on your question, but—
6:50 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Could we get the answers, Madam Chair, submitted to the committee?
6:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Dr. Giles, if you can submit the answers to the committee, that would be really great.
We will now move on to Mr. Hallan.
Mr. Hallan, you will have two minutes for your questioning. You can proceed, please.
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Given that LMIAs are being refused in economic regimes where the unemployment rate exceeds 6% for certain positions in the accommodation, food and retail trade sectors, what is the projection for the number of LMIAs that will not be renewed?
6:55 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I would direct that question to our colleagues at ESDC.
6:55 p.m.
Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think it's something we'd have to get back to you on to see the implications there. I don't have those figures.
6:55 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Of course.
Along with that, how many businesses are potentially impacted, and what types of positions will see most LMIAs refused? Perhaps you could answer these three questions together.
I'll move on to owner-operators really quickly. How many owner-operator applicants were approved in 2019 and 2020?
6:55 p.m.
Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Again, my apologies. I don't have those detailed statistics, but we will get them to you, of course, following the meeting.
6:55 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
If we could get a breakdown of the industries for that, as well, that can be tabled, that would be great. Also, how many of those were created, as in new jobs? Perhaps we can get that tabled. As well, if there is any type of comparison we can make from previous years....
6:55 p.m.
Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Yes, we'll do our best to get you the numbers you're seeking.
6:55 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Perfect, thank you.
I'll take the rest of my time to thank all the officials for all the hard work they've been doing throughout this pandemic. Thank you, everyone, for being at committee.
Madam Chair, I don't know how much time I have left.
6:55 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
I'll just say thank you again to everyone. I hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.
6:55 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Thank you very much.
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Mr. Hallan.
We will end this panel with Ms. Dhillon.
Ms. Dhillon, you will have two minutes for your questions.
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
Anju Dhillon Liberal Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC
Good evening, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today.
My question is going to be brief, and it's for any one of our witnesses.
Economic immigration will be integral to the recovery of the country as we look to ensuring that Canada harnesses all skill levels available to strengthen and fill labour gaps and market vulnerabilities. The new levels plan will be important to facilitating work from every skill level.
One economic stream that has been helpful in attracting high-growth companies allows Canadian employers to have access to global talent. Can you please provide us with an update on the status of the global skills strategy?
Thank you so much.
6:55 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
You're absolutely correct. We continue to recognize the value of the economic programs that are in place and that permit foreign nationals to come to Canada to assist us and to render Canada even more prosperous in terms of its economy.
I'm going to turn to Marian Campbell Jarvis to answer your question.
March 10th, 2021 / 6:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The global skills strategy has been absolutely instrumental in attracting high-skilled talent. We have very impressive numbers, and some of this is shared with colleagues at ESDC through the global skills stream.
In terms of efforts moving forward, we look at this taken together with the start-up visa and the self-employed programs as well as some of the other economic pathways to really contribute to that economic recovery, Madam Chair, that Ms. Dhillon referred to.