Evidence of meeting #8 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 work.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk
I can only convey what information I have, but I know that the members and the minister are doing their utmost under the circumstances. I don't want to further delay your proceedings.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Okay.
Minister, you can start, please. Maybe try to speak a bit louder so that the interpreters can get your voice.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
That's not a request I receive very often, Madam Chair.
Conservative
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I'm just wondering if some of these problems are because the minister is not wearing that sort of official headset. Does he have that available?
Conservative
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
I'm certainly endeavouring to be as clear as I can, Ms. Dancho, and I've had the same issue with your microphone, unfortunately.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Minister, you can resume, please. Try to be a bit louder so that we can see if the interpreters can get it.
Please resume.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
We'll try again.
I was saying that this isn't correct. We are continuing to work with the Quebec government to address labour shortages in the economy. Immigration is one solution.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
I'm sorry for interrupting. There is no interpretation.
Mr. Clerk, can the interpreters get the voice?
The Clerk
Where the audio quality is not sufficient for interpretation, they might be compelled to suspend service. We know that this is an issue, but unless we have different hardware and can look into that, the issue might persist for the duration of the meeting.
I'm following up with the department. We'll do our utmost to provide full support to the members and to the department and the minister's office to make sure they have everything they need for future meetings. I regret the interruptions this has caused.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
We will start again and see if we can get it.
Minister, please try again.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
The other option is that I can attempt to answer in English. If the English translation will come through in French, then we can proceed that way, but I'm in the committee's hands, Madam Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Maybe you can try that. If you can speak in English and there's translation happening.... Yes, please.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
What I was saying, Ms. Normandin, is that I don't agree. We are working very closely with the Quebec government to address labour shortages in those critical parts of the economy where immigration has proven to be a lifeline. At the same time, we respect the jurisdiction of Quebec to choose its immigration levels. We will continue to collaborate with Quebec in this important area.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
From what I understand, processing of applications for work permits and LMIAs will continue.
My next question concerns the announcement about the 6,000 sponsorship applications that would be processed per month. I'd like to know how many new officers have been hired or reassigned to process sponsorship applications.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Ms. Normandin, if you're referring to family sponsorship and reunification, we have stood up special teams for the purposes of the travel exemptions during COVID-19. As I've said, we've reunited thousands of families, which is good news.
With regard to sponsorship under the permanent residency pathways, we are going to process 49,000 applications by this year's end. My department has been working very hard. This is important work and we will continue with it.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
You were told, Mr. Minister, that the number of files processed would be increased, which implies an increase in the number of employees.
How many were hired?
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
We're ensuring the resources that are necessary to continue to accelerate and prioritize family reunification. That is the bottom-line commitment we have made to ensure that we get to 49,000 by this year's end, and not only that, but to continue to do more work on family reunification under our plan for 2021 to 2023. It's work that I'm very proud of.
