Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 18th, 2024

[James McNamee]

Yes.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

—and it has the resources to address this issue.

[James McNamee]

I would note that many people get a decision before that timeline. In certain circumstances, they don't, but many do.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Thank you.

I want to get to a finance question.

From the finance perspective, what is your point of view on what your actual role is in all of this? What is the core of the issue here with regard to providing pension benefits to Hong Kongers in Canada who have made claims?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. Smith, could you speak closer to the mic? The interpreters are having a bit of difficulty.

Please go ahead.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I'm sorry. I'll just repeat that. What is your perceived role?

[Jeffrey Smith]

Do you mean our perceived role in this issue?

We regulate financial institutions on a domestic basis. We have no authority to compel those financial institutions to disobey the laws of the foreign jurisdictions in which their subsidiaries operate.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Thank you.

What accountability measures exist to ensure that financial institutions like Manulife and Sun Life are actually representing their approval rates and following the fair practices?

[Jeffrey Smith]

Global Affairs Canada maintains the national contact point office, which would be the appropriate point of contact for any groups or individuals who feel that Canadian firms operating abroad are not behaving responsibly.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Perhaps you can elaborate on how IRCC collaborates with Global Affairs Canada to address the concerns raised by Canadian residents and citizens about accessing their financial resources overseas.

[Jeffrey Smith]

I'm sorry. I think that question would be better directed to my colleague from IRCC.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. McNamee, do you want to address it?

[James McNamee]

I apologize, Mr. Chair. I missed the question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I'll stop the watch, and I will ask the honourable member to repeat the question.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

What is the collaboration between Global Affairs Canada and IRCC to address the concerns of Canadian residents and citizens with regard to accessing their financial resources overseas?

[James McNamee]

We have been working with Global Affairs to look into this issue. It's through this process that we were able to understand what was happening in terms of a lack of access to those funds due to that change that happened in 2021. We continue to work with them to see what can be done about that. As a result, we've taken it upon ourselves to look at a change in the card for those who can provide another passport as a solution that could help overcome that challenge in the short term.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I have another finance question.

What is your role in monitoring financial institutions' compliance with international standards and fair treatment of Canadians with PRs and citizens?

[Jeffrey Smith]

It's my understanding that we don't have a specific role in monitoring Canadian financial institutions meeting their obligations within the HKSAR.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, MP Kayabaga.

We will go now to my dear friend, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

You have two and a half minutes.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. McNamee, perhaps my last question wasn't clear enough. I don't want you to think that I'm blaming you. I'm really not.

The Hong Kong authorities are currently using the Canadian government and insurance companies, such as Manulife and Sun Life, for transnational repression purposes.

I'm by no means saying that this is deliberate on your part or that you don't want to change things.

That said, do you realize that the Hong Kong authorities are engaging in transnational repression using the department and insurance companies? Are you aware of this?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. McNamee, go ahead.

[James McNamee]

I want to thank the member for his question. However, I don't really have an answer for him.

The Hong Kong government changed its practice with regard to access to the types of documents that—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, there are really two ways to answer my question.

Mr. McNamee, unfortunately, I can't accept that you don't have an answer for me.

I'm asking you whether you realize something. The answer to this type of question must be yes or no. You can't tell me that you don't know.

Does your department realize that it's unwittingly participating in transnational repression by the Hong Kong authorities? The answer may be yes or no, but it can't be in between.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. McNamee, go ahead.

[James McNamee]

I'm sorry, but I can't say whether I agree or disagree with this position. It isn't my role, as a public servant, to have an opinion on these situations.

We comply with our regulations. We try to do whatever we can in our area.