Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 16th, 2020

[Paul Davidson]

Sure. I'm happy to answer the question. I really welcome the opportunity to discuss the changing geopolitical nature of these matters.

The work that's being done on campus is to make sure that all students feel safe and secure in a whole range of areas. Campuses have been working with their international students, with consular officials from a variety of countries and with student support folk on the staff of campuses to identify what is actually happening, what's being alleged to happen, and what are the best paths forward on that.

I think it's a worthwhile conversation for members of Parliament to have and for others to have but not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of international students are active, productive citizens and students on campuses and they have a very successful experience while they're in Canada.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Ms. Amyot.

[Denise Amyot]

For us, it's important that we provide access for all. It's very important that all students have the chance to study in Canada and be supported. If on campuses the administration or students witness intimidation, it's up to them to mention this. Then measures are taken. We support everybody, no matter who they are and no matter where they come from. I think that's very important. It's important not to single out any specific group.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Ms. Douglas.

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

Madam Chair, I have a brief point of order.

I would ask that Ms. Amyot bring her microphone closer to her mouth because the interpreters can't hear what she is saying, unfortunately.

[Debbie Douglas]

Our member agencies that provide services are very mindful of creating safe spaces for all of their clients. They create an opportunity for clients who may be vulnerable to exploitation to be able to reach out in case they're feeling a need for support.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Ms. Therrien.

[Wendy Therrien]

I believe Paul spoke well on the points that we would make as Universities Canada.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Okay.

Again to Mr. Davidson, what is the significant...of significance of a government policy or plan to really combat the intimidation and to be able to really provide the protection we need for our international students?

[Paul Davidson]

I'm not sure I heard the question fully. Could I ask you to repeat it?

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

The question is this: What is the significant plan...what do you see as significant in the government plan to prevent intimidation, to help prevent the situation from becoming more severe and—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting. Your time is up.

We will now move on to Mr. Regan.

Mr. Regan, you have four minutes for your round of questioning.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you so much, Madam Chair.

Ms. Douglas, first of all, thank you for staying a few more minutes past the time you planned to leave. I hope you can stay for perhaps the next five minutes or so.

You will know, of course, from the recent annual report of the department about its plan to pivot to immigration as an economic driver, as part of the COVID recovery plan of the government for Canada. What are your thoughts on this decision? How would you suggest that the government could better co-operate with settlement services to implement this plan as efficiently as possible?

[Debbie Douglas]

That's a very good question. Thanks very much.

As I was saying, given the restrictions on travel due to COVID and the closing of embassies, what we are strongly encouraging the government to do is to look internally to identify the folks who are here with a precarious immigration status and those who are undocumented and to create a pathway for them to have their status regularized.

Settlement services are ready to act as proxy. We know that there will be some hesitation in terms of the people coming forward unless there are clear guarantees that they will not be deported before they have a fair trial and hearing. We expect the government to put clear guidance in place and, as I said, to work with our community-based organizations, which will work to support the individuals but also to support the government in reaching those communities.

We absolutely support the government focus on immigration as a response, an economic response. That has always been true. It will continue to be true for Canada, both economically and demographically speaking.

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[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, but I think there are some connectivity issues.

[Debbie Douglas]

[Technical difficulty—Editor] in Canada and we believe that this is important.

I have an unstable connection.

We believe the time is right for the government to put in place some sort of regularization program.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you very much, Ms. Douglas.

I appreciate your appearing through this difficulty with the technology and the connection. Mostly you're coming through clearly, although there were pauses at times, so I want to stick with you for a moment.

You'll be aware, I think, that Minister Mendicino directed his department to use creative ways to harness residents already in the country, to increased levels. One example of this is that people temporarily in Canada have been or are being encouraged to transition to permanent residency. How do you see those models working out?

[Debbie Douglas]

We have experience of this in Canada. I believe the last regularization program was in the early to mid-1980s. It was a huge success.

As I said, we have a number of folks here who want to stay in Canada, including those in the seasonal agricultural workers program, who have been coming in and out of Canada for sometimes 15 or 20 years. We have folks who are refugee claimants and have been waiting. The process should be expedited for them. We have temporary foreign workers working in our health field. They also want permanent residency. We have caregivers, as we spoke about earlier with MP Kwan, who want the process regularized.

We have a number of folks who are here. [Technical difficulty—Editor] with a clear process, with the support of community-based organizations, including faith communities, I believe that the time is right for us to put a regularization program in place to meet our immigration numbers that were recently announced by Minister Mendicino.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

That's my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you. We will now move to Ms. Normandin.

Ms. Normandin, you have two minutes.

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

Both Ms. Therrien and Ms. Amyot can answer this next question.

It is often said that it is harder for French-speaking students to come to Quebec. Even if they have a Quebec acceptance certificate, a scholarship and a spot waiting for them, the federal government can say no and refuse to issue a permit or visa.

Should the federal government award more points or issue a permit more readily when Quebec has already granted a student's application?

[Denise Amyot]

I think the permit application process should be expedited, which would require the government to implement certain measures. Earlier I brought up the ongoing problem with biometrics collection. Often, the problem arises because the acceptance comes halfway through the trimester, so it's too late. French-speaking countries need to make sure offices are operational in every respect. Otherwise, we will not achieve the immigration targets. Bear in mind that international students who come to Canada contribute $22 billion to the economy. That is more than the auto industry and the forest industry, making it a major industry.

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

Sorry to cut you off, but I would like Ms. Therrien to have a few moments to answer.

[Denise Amyot]

Of course. My apologies.

[Wendy Therrien]

Thank you, Ms. Normandin.

Building on Ms. Amyot's answer, I would say that it's also important for the two levels of government to work well together and for both systems—