Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Oct. 24th, 2023

[A voice]

There's no objection.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

If there's no objection we are fine.

The time is up, Madam Kwan.

Now we'll go to the next round. Here we go to my dear friend Mr. Maguire. Finally, it's your turn.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

One of the most troubling aspects, Ms. Kingsley, that has come to light is the ability of fraudulent immigration consultants to exploit the current system of IRCC issuing study permits. When the deputy minister of IRCC appeared before the committee here this spring, she confirmed there is no actual data-sharing agreement between the designated learning institutions and the IRCC. Is that still the case, yes or no?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Madam Kingsley.

[Michèle Kingsley]

Right now, in the processing of applications, if an officer has a doubt about the validity of a letter of acceptance, we do actually reach out directly to the DLI to ask them to either validate that letter of acceptance or invalidate it, so we do have an “ad hoc based on officer review” sharing of information with the DLIs. We also have a compliance reporting regime whereby DLIs report to us twice a year on student attendance. As the minister said earlier this afternoon, we are looking at enhancing that system, and he will be making an announcement later this week.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Maguire.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Is there no automatic way to determine if the student has been issued a study permit, without someone manually contacting the designated learning institution to confirm the letter of acceptance?

I have a number of questions, so can you be concise in your answer, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Ms. Kingsley.

[Michèle Kingsley]

Currently that is based on officer review on an individual basis and not done automatically.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Maguire.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

There's no automatic process.

[Michèle Kingsley]

No, there currently is not.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Has the minister of IRCC directed the department to create data-sharing agreements between designated learning institutions and IRCC if there isn't one now? Is that what they're announcing or is it...?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Ms. Kingsley.

[Michèle Kingsley]

We are right now looking at sharing more information with designated learning institutions, and I believe we already have the authorities to do that. I don't think we need information-sharing agreements, necessarily. We do share information with them on an ad hoc basis when there's a doubt around fraud, and we will be enhancing that shortly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Maguire.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

I'm just looking into whether the minister has given that kind of direction or not, as a new minister in this department.

Has the minister also directed the department to contact all of the designated learning institutions to have them immediately contact the department if a student shows up at their campus without a legitimate letter of acceptance?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Ms. Kingsley.

[Michèle Kingsley]

The minister has been very clear in directing us to look at the overall international study program, to increase integrity, to address student vulnerability and to develop a recognized institution model.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Maguire.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Has the minister directed the department to do that, though?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Ms. Kingsley.

[Michèle Kingsley]

The minister has clearly directed us to do work on the study program, and the way that we achieve those goals is being worked on right now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Maguire.

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Does the IRCC keep track of when international students change their designated learning institution once they've already arrived in Canada? There are a number of them who change the area that they want to go to. Does IRCC keep track of that?