Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 16th, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I call meeting number five of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to order. Good afternoon, everyone.

We will continue with the study of the impact of COVID-19 on immigration.

Before we begin, I just want to remind all attendees about the health and safety measures that need to be taken.

To all the attendees in the room, physically distance yourselves from others by at least two metres, and wear a mask until you are seated and more than two metres away from anyone else. This is a hybrid meeting. Some members are appearing in person in the parliamentary precinct, and the other members are appearing remotely.

As a reminder to members, please speak at a slow enough pace for interpretation to keep up.

The clerk is tracking the raised hands and keeping a speaking list, if needed. All questions should be decided by a recorded vote, except for those decided unanimously or on division. This is based on the order adopted by the House on September 23. The meeting is being webcast and is available on ParlVU.

We are continuing to listen to witnesses on the impact of COVID-19 on the immigration system.

I want to welcome all the witnesses today. Thanks to all the witnesses for appearing before the committee and providing your important testimony.

We will be hearing today from Universities Canada. They are being represented by Paul Davidson, president and chief executive officer; as well as Wendy Therrien, director, external relations and research. We also have Colleges and Institutes Canada, being represented by Denise Amyot, president and chief executive officer. I also welcome Debbie Douglas, executive director for the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. On behalf of Alliance Canada Hong Kong, we will hear from Robert Falconer, research associate, immigration and refugee policy, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, and also Starus Chan, representative from Alliance Canada Hong Kong.

As individuals, we have appearing before us today Emmanuelle Bergeron, as well as Jatin Shory, lawyer for Shory Law.

We will proceed with our first panel. All the witnesses will have five minutes for their opening remarks.

I will start with Colleges and Institutes Canada. I would request Denise Amyot, president and chief executive officer, to please start.

You have five minutes for your opening remarks. The floor is yours.

[Denise Amyot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colleges and Institutes Canada]

Thank you, Madame Chair.

Bonjour and good afternoon, everybody.

Canada's colleges, institutes, polytechnics and CEGEPs are helping international students become ideal candidates for permanent residency and citizenship. They graduate with Canadian educational qualifications and in-demand skills, and are proficient in at least one of our official languages. International students are key in achieving the historic immigration target recently announced by Minister Mendicino.

Navigating this pandemic has led to some remarkable collaborations and innovations. The implementation, for example, of a two-stage process for the review of study permit applications provided students the certainty they needed to begin—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting. Mr. Clerk, there's no interpretation.

Now we'll resume.

[Denise Amyot]

I'll just continue from where I was.

Still, more needs to be done. Though Canada has again begun to welcome new international students, visa application centres in India, Brazil and Mexico remain closed, making it impossible for students to provide their biometrics and obtain study permit approval. We predict that the global mobility of students will take two to five years to reach pre-pandemic levels.

For Canada to remain competitive, we must continue to innovate and invest in improving the student experience and in streamlining systems—

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Chair, on a similar point of order before we begin, I wonder if the witness's channel is switched onto the French channel as well. I'm hearing both the French and the interpretation coming across just as loudly as the other. It's very hard to hear one voice over the other.

[Denise Amyot]

Should I put it on “off”?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Ms. Amyot, if you are speaking in French, then you should have “French” on. If you are speaking in English, then you should have “English” on.

[Denise Amyot]

All right. I will repeat the last sentence.

For Canada to remain competitive, we must continue to innovate and invest in improving the student experience and in streamlining systems to attract those students and future citizens.

Colleges and institutes represent the fastest-growing level of study for international students in Canada, accounting for just under half of all study permit holders at the post-secondary level in 2019. This is in part because colleges are deeply connected to their communities and responsive to local labour markets.

Colleges and institutes embody Canadian values and often act as service hubs for newcomers. They are vectors through which temporary and permanent residents gain the language skills and the Canadian education and experience necessary for their successful integration. As Canada recovers, our network of publicly supported colleges and institutes is instrumental in helping to develop, attract and retain talent. In fact, 95% of Canada’s population lives within 50 kilometres of a college or institute campus. This means that our members play a key role in bringing the benefits of immigration to communities and local economies.

With that in mind, I’d like to focus the committee’s attention on the following five recommendations:

The first recommendation relates to short-term measures to remain competitive and attract students. Canada should allow for the collection of biometric data at the point of entry for students from countries where visa application centres remain closed, and immediately extend to the end of 2021 the two-stage study permit application process and the provisions that allow for time spent studying online to count towards a post-graduate work permit.

Second, IRCC should work collaboratively with CICan and other stakeholders to develop and implement an information-sharing mechanism that would allow visa officers and designated learning institutions to share information in real time related to admissions and study permit outcomes.

Third, in support of Canada’s evolving labour market needs, express entry must emphasize points for post-secondary education with in-demand technical and professional skills.

Fourth, the provision of settlement services should be extended to international students interested in making Canada their home.

Fifth, further investment should be made in promoting Canada as a place to study, work and live, to ensure that colleges and institutes can welcome students and potential new immigrants from a diverse set of countries.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

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

[Denise Amyot]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

We will now move on to Ms. Douglas, representing the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants.

Ms. Douglas, you have five minutes for your opening remarks.

[Debbie Douglas, Executive Director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants]

Thank you, Chair and committee members.

I appreciate this opportunity to contribute to the study. As many of you know, OCASI is the umbrella organization for agencies working with immigrants and other newcomers here in Ontario, where I'm located.

It comes as no surprise that there have been many delays in all immigration, refugee, international student and migrant worker streams. For many, the delays existed even before the pandemic.

A big concern for all streams is that dependent children would age out and become ineligible to be sponsored. We recommend that the age of dependent children be locked in as of March 1, 2020, so that regardless of when the application is reopened, these children are included in the application.

Family members who are approved for sponsorship still cannot travel into Canada in most cases because of travel bans or difficulty in arranging travel. Many families overseas have not been able to find out what will happen when the visa to land in Canada expires, or how and when a new one would be issued to allow them to land. We recommend that all landing dates be extended at least until the borders are fully opened and travel fully resumes, or IRCC should land overseas applicants via email, as they are beginning to do now for people already in Canada. That would allow them to come here as permanent residents regardless of current travel restrictions.

Permanent resident card renewals are also delayed. Some permanent residents whose cards expired are stranded outside Canada with no hope of being able to return. Most if not all embassies are still closed, and stranded permanent residents have nowhere to turn for help. We are recommending that the Canadian government issue a public communication so that those overseas and/or their families here will know that those with PR will continue to be recognized as permanent residents in spite of the expiration of their PR cards.

As for refugees, IRCC's level for family members of refugees accepted in Canada is far lower than the number of people who are awaiting family reunification. The combination of low numbers, existing processing delays and COVID-related delays will only make people wait longer for family reunification. We recommend that the total number of refugee family reunifications be increased.

There are gaps and delays in communications from IRCC. The only information is what is being posted on the website. That is sometimes unclear and doesn't speak to the specific situations people are facing because of COVID. We appreciate that IRCC has tried to keep the public informed of most measures, but there is still a need for consistent, clear and more comprehensive information about migration offices overseas, as well as local offices here, as to exactly what is available and what is not. Inadequate communication is one of the biggest concerns we have heard from our member agencies and their clients. We recommend that IRCC show more flexibility and compassion during this extraordinary period.

Before I move on to my last point, I am sure you've all been receiving emails from many sponsored spouses. We've been hearing story after story of months and months, sometimes as long as 28 months, which is the last story I saw this morning in an email from a spouse. There is no information, and people want to know when they can have their spouses here in Canada.

On parents and grandparents, we appreciate the government's recent announcement to expedite spousal sponsorship, to allow the entry of extended family and to temporarily ease the minimum necessary income requirement.

Introduction of the minimum necessary income and the later 30% increase have been a tremendous hardship for many Canadian residents. Until Canada dismantles structural disadvantage and ends income inequality, racialized Canadians, especially racialized immigrant women, will be disproportionately excluded from family reunification. This has been over the last six to seven years.

For this reason, we are again recommending that the minimum necessary income be eliminated to make the immigration system both fair and equitable—

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Ms. Douglas, but your time is up. You will get an opportunity to raise the issues you want to raise in our round of questioning.

Ms. Douglas, are you there?

[Debbie Douglas]

Sorry, Chair; I don't know what happened there.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I don't know if others experienced the same problems that I did, but basically during the last two minutes or so of Ms. Douglas' comments, I couldn't hear her. The audio was kind of in and out, and I don't exactly know what she said. I wonder if she could just repeat perhaps the last two minutes or so.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Just one second.

Mr. Clerk, are we getting the signal from Ms. Douglas clearly, or is there some connection problem?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Leif-Erik Aune]

I'm not certain, but I noticed the lag, so the possibility exists that the witness's Internet was lagging or the connection was lagging.

[Debbie Douglas]

Yes, I just saw a sign saying that my Internet connection was unstable, and as you can tell, I disappeared. I lost you for about 30 seconds.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Okay, so would you have an idea? If we gave you your last two minutes, which were not clear to everyone, could you repeat?

[Debbie Douglas]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Just for the last two minutes there was a problem, so I'll give you two minutes to give us some of those remarks.

[Debbie Douglas]

As I said, we continue to bring this recommendation forward about the minimum necessary income. We have pointed out that the introduction of the MNI and later the 30% increase have caused tremendous hardship for many Canadian residents. In particular, racialized Canadians, as we all know, tend to be overrepresented in low-wage jobs or in low income, and they have been disproportionately impacted by the MNI rule.

Until Canada dismantles structural disadvantage and ends income inequality, racialized Canadians—especially racialized immigrant women—will be disproportionately excluded from family reunification. We recommend that the MNI be eliminated to make the immigration system more fair and equitable and consistent with an anti-racism and feminist approach.

We welcome the opening of the parents and grandparents sponsorship program, but the number of spaces is too low. Many families have been waiting for years to reunite their family. In some cases, parents and grandparents have died and dependent family members have aged out. The cap on parents and grandparents sponsorship, rather than the lottery, is unfair, and it takes a heavy toll on families. We are, therefore, recommending that the cap be removed and that more resources be put into processing so that everyone who wants to reunite with parents and grandparents and who meets the criteria can apply and expect to get a decision within a reasonable amount of time.

I will hold off on discussing international students, since my colleagues from CIC and from the association of university teachers are here.

Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Ms. Douglas.

Now we will move on to Universities Canada. It is being represented by Mr. Davidson and Ms. Therrien.

Mr. Davidson, you have five minutes for your opening remarks, and I think you are sharing your time with Ms. Therrien.

The floor is yours.

[Paul Davidson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you for the invitation, for conducting the study and for the extraordinary work that all parliamentarians are doing during this challenging time.

I'd especially like to welcome the newer members to this committee. Of course, immigration is one of Canada's great competitive strengths, and the work of this committee is important in ensuring that this asset remains.

With me today is Wendy Therrien, who leads our public policy and public affairs efforts. She'll be particularly available for questions the committee may have.

As you may know, Universities Canada represents all 96 universities across the country. Taken together, Canada's universities are a $38-billion enterprise that is a significant driver of economic prosperity. Universities provide employment for over 310,000 people. In many cases, universities are the largest employer in their community. As well, we are the talent engines for Canada.

It's great to be here with my colleague, Denise Amyot. I very much support her comments earlier today. We work together, particularly on matters of immigration and success for international students.

Canada's universities are an integral part of the team Canada approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, from mitigating the risk to the search for a vaccine and cure and accelerating Canada's economy into recovery. We appreciate the challenge now facing the government and all of us: that of restarting the Canadian economy while continuing the health measures necessary to keep COVID-19 at bay.

We've greatly appreciated the steps the government has taken to support our sector, including ensuring international students can continue their studies, whether online or in person. As these measures take effect, I want to highlight the role that universities, and international students specifically, can have in our recovery from COVID-19.

Canada's need to attract skilled talent predates the pandemic. As our population ages and the labour force shrinks, our future prosperity depends on our ability to welcome immigrants from around the world. Universities are an integral part of Canada's immigration system, welcoming well over 200,000 international students per year. Once in Canada, these students are able to take advantage of government pathways to immigration.

Our institutions can be key partners in attracting, training and retaining skilled talent. At all levels of study, international students bring new perspectives, ideas and valuable human connections abroad. As students, they contribute over $22 billion to the Canadian economy annually.

As graduates, many become highly skilled individuals, contributing to local Canadian communities, or they return home with an appreciation for what Canada has to offer as a society and as a business partner.

While they are here, international students play a crucial part in our research and innovation ecosystem. Our ability to conduct research and to make new discoveries that strengthen our economy is dependent on a steady flow of international talent. International graduate students in particular are the arms and legs of our research enterprise.

However, as Denise was mentioning, international student recruitment has been hampered by COVID-19. Federal measures to accommodate online learning for international students and to provide a pathway for their safe return to Canada have been very helpful, but after five years of an average of 10% growth annually, international student enrolment at universities this year was down 2%. While these aggregate numbers might not seem so bad, given the circumstances, it's important to note that 51 universities saw a decline in international students compared to last year. Of these universities, 26 saw a decline of over 10% and 14 saw a decline of over 20%. This is having an impact not just for the universities, but also for grocery stores, car dealerships and families renting a room to international students. It is a loss that will be felt for at least the next four years.

The good news is that, given events in other countries, Canada's brand remains strong. We've seen federal investment in regaining traditional markets as well as in building our relationship with emerging markets, such as Vietnam and the Philippines. With these strategic investments, Canada can actually leapfrog competitor countries and build back stronger relationships with key sources for international students. As the speech from the throne outlined, these investments will ensure that Canada remains a destination of choice for top talent. These international students, many of them graduate students, will help grow our economy and stabilize the recovery of the post-secondary education sector.

We appreciate the work that all the members of the committee have done to help Canada recover from COVID-19 and we look forward to partnering to build a stronger Canada.

Thank you again for the opportunity to appear.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mr. Davidson.

Now we will move to our round of questioning. If, because of time constraints, any of the witnesses were not able to bring forward everything they wanted to, they can send their submissions in writing to the clerk of the committee and those submissions will also be considered.

Now we will move to Mr. Allison.

Mr. Allison, you have six minutes. The floor is yours.