Evidence of meeting #9 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 applications.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Could you explain the mechanism behind the recognition of professional qualifications?
If this measure is successful, could it be introduced in other sectors?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
We will now proceed to Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe for two and a half minutes.
Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Minister, I did a quick search and found that the line for Afghanistan and the line for Ukraine have the same number. So how can you say that there are two different lines?
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
We've been tracking separately the calls that are coming in, and we have dedicated staff....
I can give a quick answer now, but for more questions, my officials can give more details. We have dedicated staff who are reserved specifically for Ukraine and are providing services.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Fine. That's okay, I don't want to spend too much time on that. If it's the same number, it's not two different lines. In fact, maybe I'm teaching you that. Anyway, you can check that.
I would now like to talk about the proposal made by the Bloc Québécois, at the beginning of the conflict, to automatically extend the residence permit of Ukrainians who are already in Canada by at least six months, and perhaps even two years. Am I to understand that this is part of your plan?
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Yes, we will be extending open work permits on the same terms for people who arrive who are in Ukraine now.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Perfect. That's a great example of parties working together. I am very pleased to hear that.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
The Government of Quebec said it wanted to do its part. I believe you had discussions with Mr. Boulet.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
How will this collaboration between Ottawa and Quebec translate into concrete action?
Quebec is likely to want to do its part to help refugees from Ukraine.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
First, let me say thank you to the provinces, including the Province of Quebec. There are details to be worked out as to exactly how they're going to deal with this. I've tried to point them in the direction of an organization that represents francophone Ukrainians, but we have the opportunity to work with them if they want to put their hand up and invite people to come to Quebec. We're willing to work with them.
I think you can appreciate, since the invasion began only days ago, that there are some details to be worked out, but we want to capitalize on the goodwill of Quebec and of all the provincial governments we've been connecting with.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I'd like to quickly go back to the question about biometrics.
Earlier, you said that 80% of refusals were based on biometrics. That's extraordinary. What I'm interested in is the percentage that those refusals represent if all the applications are considered. Do you have that figure?
Liberal
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
If it could be provided to the committee, that would be good, Mr. Minister.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
If we have the information to provide, I'm happy to provide whatever we can.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
We will now proceed to Ms. Kwan.
Ms. Kwan, you have two and a half minutes. You can please proceed.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Mohammed Alzaza, at age 15, suffered from serious injuries as a result of a drone strike in Gaza. Though he survived, he suffered from serious injuries, but he's managed to make his way to Turkey seeking asylum. A Vancouver East church group submitted a private sponsorship application in January 2021, and they were approved. Given Mohammed's health condition—and his mental health, by the way, is deteriorating rapidly—will the minister look into expediting this urgent application?
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
We're happy to look into whichever cases, as I mentioned in my previous answer, and the reality is that we want to do as much as we can to help some of the world's most vulnerable. I think it's a challenge, obviously, when you're dealing with so many crises around the world, trying to leverage every tool we have, but to the extent there are particularly urgent cases, we can always look into them.
Of course, there are unique features of each case that I don't want to prejudge while I'm sitting at committee here today, but it's the same offer as before: If you want to send details, we'll be happy to take a look.