Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Feb. 15th, 2022

[Marian Campbell Jarvis]

Thank you for clarifying.

In terms of sponsoring refugees, Canada is currently a real leader, along with countries like Australia and Great Britain, certainly. It's clear that Canada is a model in this area. It's one of our strengths.

How do we assess this? Our program is evaluated every three to five years. The goal is to assess the performance of our process and our system.

[Fayçal El-Khoury, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

In Afghanistan, as you know, women and girls live in terrible conditions. As part of your operations in Afghanistan, are there programs that specifically focus on supporting the rights of women and girls? For example, women don't have the right to work. Furthermore, reports reveal that parents are negotiating the sale of their daughters because they need money.

Are you considering a plan that, through Canada's involvement, could put an end to this?

[Marian Campbell Jarvis]

Thank you for your question.

The government definitely puts the emphasis on women's situations in Afghanistan, but also on that of other vulnerable populations.

I'd like to mention two things. First, women are a priority in the refugee program. Second, the government has launched a program to defend human rights. This is also the case for Afghanistan. It's an important aspect for vulnerable people, but especially for women.

[Fayçal El-Khoury, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

You're aware that Afghanistan's geography makes working conditions difficult.

In your opinion, is the Taliban meeting international requirements to facilitate your work on the ground over there?

[Marian Campbell Jarvis]

Thank you for your question.

Of course, I agree that the situation in Afghanistan is very complex, but I think that the other part of the question should be directed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Fayçal El-Khoury, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

How do you see Canadian efforts to bring over these refugees?

I think that your department has deployed efforts that were well received and that Canada is working to bring these people over as quickly as possible, but the complexity of the process and problems on the ground make it difficult.

How can we accelerate the process and bring these people here to Canada?

[Marian Campbell Jarvis]

Thank you for your question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting. The time is up. Maybe you will get another opportunity to answer that.

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, you have six minutes for your round of questioning. Please proceed.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses for being here with us today for this important committee meeting. We greatly appreciate it.

On February 1st, we were told that an advanced data analysis system would be used more broadly to sort visitors' visa applications.

Which criteria did you base yourselves on to develop this software?

[Daniel Mills]

We based ourselves on a great deal of data collected in the past, which allowed us to sort visitor applications and process them more quickly.

Different factors were taken into consideration. Unfortunately, for security reasons and to ensure the integrity of the process we've put in place, I can't say more about the content or nature of elements taken into consideration. However, rest assured that the criteria are reviewed sporadically so that we adapt to the constantly changing reality of our operations.

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

Is there a legal framework for this software?

I would imagine you can talk about that.

[Daniel Mills]

The design of the advanced analytical system is very strictly based on Treasury Board's policy. We also conducted privacy impact assessments, which were also overseen, and they established the framework we can use. Our legal experts and the Department of Justice were all involved in this process, and that's why we published different components on our website.

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

I understand, then, that the parameters can't be made public in order to protect privacy.

[Daniel Mills]

Actually, we cannot reveal or make public the elements that allow the advanced analytical system to process one application faster than another. The goal is to not only uphold the integrity of the process, but to protect people's privacy as well.

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

In your data, have you noticed any differences in application processing, aside from volume?

Have you noticed any anomalies, for instance?

[Daniel Mills]

If you're referring to visitor permits, the component for processing these applications has existed since 2018. That means it was already being used in the department for applications coming from India and China.

In early February, we extrapolated this component to all visitor applications overseen by the department.

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

We know that certain applications like Chinook, which you are surely aware of, is being used to process international student applications, are causing biases to crystallize. Even though these biases existed before the application was introduced, they have now only been exacerbated. For example, we have to wonder if the application criteria for francophone African students are making a difference, unfortunately for them.

[Daniel Mills]

I'm not sure if that was more of a statement than a question. To be honest, I'm not sure if I know exactly what it was.

However, with respect to the Chinook application, it is Excel-based, but it doesn't make decisions. It's really an Excel file that simply extracts information from our global case management system, converts it to a—

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

So it doesn't use an algorithm. However, the instructions are in English only from what we've been told. That's a bit of a shame for francophone public servants.

Earlier, we heard about Afghanistan. Major General Fraser told us yesterday that Canada is one of the only countries with no personnel on the ground, which can exacerbate processing delays.

Would you like to see Canadian representatives on the ground to help shorten processing times for Afghans who want to come to Canada?

[Daniel Mills]

With respect to people on the ground in Afghanistan, I feel that should be assessed and reviewed with our colleagues at Global Affairs Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

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

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

Absolutely, but I'd like to know if your department would like to see Global Affairs put more personnel on the ground, because the issue affects your department.

I imagine that that would support your work in the department.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you. You will get another opportunity.

We will now proceed to Ms. Kwan.

Ms. Kwan, you will have six minutes for your round of questioning. Please begin.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair; and thank you to the officials for being here today.

Could the officials please table with the committee by the end of the month how many applications are in the backlog, broken down by each of the streams?

[Daniel Mills]

Which backlog are you referring to exactly?

Are you talking about all lines of business or about a specific line of business?