Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 25th, 2020

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I'll have to interrupt you, Minister. I was at the public accounts committee the other day, and they confirmed that 800 criminals who illegally crossed the border claiming asylum are in this country—not valid asylum claims, but they also happened to be criminals.

I'm a little disappointed that we're having this conversation, when I feel it's quite important to set a very clear line that those who come across the border and illegally claim asylum are not going to be granted permanent resident status before those who...like expired permanent residents, like the—

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

Ms. Dancho, we have one of the best asylum systems in the world, and that includes rigorous screening when it comes to inadmissibility. If people are—

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

We were not hearing that at the public accounts committee.

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

A point of order, Madam Chair.

I didn't want to interrupt my colleague, but there's no French interpretation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

Ms. Dancho, you can resume, please.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Okay. I think I only have about a minute left.

Is that correct, Madam Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Yes.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Minister, I'm just going to ask you about this 14-day processing deadline. Your officials have told my office that in fact it's a processing deadline of 21 business days before we can ask them, so I'm a bit concerned about the deadline. You said 14 days first, and now we're hearing 21 days, and of course it has been much longer for many who applied at the beginning.

What I did want to tell you is that I have here a list of over 100 individuals who applied and have not heard anything from your office. I'd like you to commit to the committee today that you will personally look at this list on behalf of the families who are looking to reunite and who were promised from you that they would be processed within 14 days. Can you commit to looking at that list personally?

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

Of course, Ms. Dancho.

I acknowledge your advocacy and the advocacy of many MPs on this issue. I'm certainly moved by those families who have not been able to reunite yet, but we're working very hard to reunite them. We've already reunited thousands, and we'll work on those cases as you bring them to our office's attention.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Minister. The time is up.

We will now move on to Ms. Dhillon.

Ms. Dhillon, you have six minutes for your round of questioning.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Good afternoon, Mr. Minister. Welcome to our committee. Thank you for being here.

As you know, this committee has been studying the pandemic's impact on immigration. We have heard from witnesses and advocacy groups. Each had heart-wrenching stories that moved us all, and I know they moved you, as well.

The spousal sponsorship program has been a source of hardship for many families. I know that this issue has been at the centre of the government's concerns and that there have been incredible efforts to improve this program.

Can you explain the changes that are currently taking place?

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

Thank you for the question.

It's important to keep families and loved ones together, especially during difficult times. That's why we've launched a process for compassionate cases and for reuniting extended families and couples over the long term.

When this program was created, we set a 14-day service standard, and that standard hasn't changed. That's clear. We set up a working group specifically to handle requests and answer questions. Our dedicated public servants continue to process requests as quickly as possible.

Our government will continue to reunite families while protecting the health and safety of all Canadians.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

Of course, the pandemic was a major blow to operations, both nationally and globally. One of the main barriers to newcomers has been the impact of the pandemic on our country's citizenship process.

Mr. Minister, could you please provide an update on the status of citizenship in all sectors?

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

We have taken some steps to move forward on the citizenship process. Since the beginning of this initiative, we have presented more than 40,000 virtual ceremonies. The next step will be to see what other elements of the process can be done digitally and virtually, such as citizenship planning and testing.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Perfect. Thank you.

With respect to immigration and refugee claimants, after March, the IRB was forced to close its doors in response to the pandemic. However, we were pleased to learn that hearings would resume and return to normal processing.

Can you help the committee to better understand the changes that took place at the IRB when it closed?

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

Thank you for the question.

We have invested more money and resources into the panel to improve the arrears situation. I have great confidence in the panel. We are continuing to process refugee protection claims.

As you know, around the world, Canada enjoys a first-rate reputation for all work related to receiving refugee protection claimants. We carry out this work in collaboration with all our provincial partners, including Quebec.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

How much time do I have left, Madam Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

You're at 4:50, so you have one minute and 10 seconds left.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Minister, could you tell us about the other changes planned because of the pandemic?

How can things be improved for immigration applicants?

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

As you know, with respect to immigration, we have adopted a plan for the next three years. It focuses on jobs, to strengthen our economy and to address all of our long-term demographic challenges. We continue to move forward on this plan in collaboration with our provincial partners.

So I'm very optimistic and very confident about Canada's future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Minister, but your time is up. We will have to move to the next member.

We will now move on to Madame Normandin.

Madame Normandin, you have six minutes. The floor is yours, please.

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

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I'd like to thank the minister for being with us today.

I'll begin by asking a few questions on the changes in officers' assessments for granting visas to people awaiting sponsorship.

I'd like to know if the new dual intent criteria that have been announced for sponsorship applications are currently in effect.

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

Ms. Normandin, could you clarify your question?

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

Officers assessing visa applications from people in sponsorship situations have been given new guidelines for analyzing dual intent.

Are these guidelines currently in effect?

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

Yes. As you know, as part of the process, all applications are assessed on merit by our public servants. It's an impartial process carried out by our independent staff, who work to assess all applications fairly and objectively.