Yes, of course.
Evidence of meeting #71 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #71 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
All right. My heart skipped a beat.
Roughly two years ago, a briefing session was organized for the employees in MPs' offices on regulations regarding the title of immigration consultant. If I'm not mistaken, the aim was to provide better protection for applicants working with immigration consultants who in some instances had received inadequate consulting services.
I know you weren't in your current position at the time, but did you hear about that training?
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, some institutions mentioned that briefing session to me. In Nova Scotia, for example, some institutions told me they wanted to follow that example and to provide the same sessions to the people in their administration who worked with consultants.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Is it still being offered? Is IRCC giving that training?
Michèle Kingsley Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I don't know.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
It would be really interesting to get that information.
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We constantly give out information on our communications with consultants, clients, institutions, foreign missions—
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I'm actually referring to training for the employees in MPs' offices.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Yes, the training that was given two years ago was intended for them.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
We're talking about solutions and making sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
I'm sorry for interrupting, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, but your time is up.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
That training was worth it. In any case, if it isn't still being given, I strongly advise you to offer it again.
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Thank you.
That could also be done in the interviews we conduct with the employees in every MP's office.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
That's another good proposal from the Bloc Québécois.
Liberal
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I'd like to follow up on the process around the task force. The minister, before he left, said that the process has already started. Does this mean that individuals who have received the inadmissibility order from IRCC or CBSA would not have to do anything, and that this automatically triggers the process for the task force?
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The process we set out was really about sequencing the decision. As the minister said, the CBSA will refer matters to the IRB. As soon as the IRB makes a determination of inadmissibility, the department would, in order to prevent the removal order, issue a TRP, a temporary resident permit, in order for the person to stay for the duration of their study permit. During that time, we will look at the case and work with CBSA. The reason we inserted the issuance of the TRP at that moment was to prevent any removals from occurring.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
The students don't have to do anything. Will they then automatically be notified that a TRP has been issued for them?
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
That is correct, yes.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
If the students have a work permit under way, will that automatically be renewed?
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, they will be able to continue either their study or their work as a result of that.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
What about students whose work or study permit has just expired? They might be, because of the situation, out of status. Would they also be made whole and not be subject to sanctions?
Deputy Minister, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I would say we'd have to look at that case by case. The TRP would essentially give them their status back, because they would be allowed to stay under the TRP for a duration of up to three years.