Thank you, Chair. You're so very kind.
Good morning, everyone.
Before I begin, I just learned, moments ago, that one of our new committee members, Garnett Genuis, has had an additional child, and I want to extend my hearty congratulations. As a parent, I can assure everyone that there's no greater joy in the world. That's fantastic news.
I'm so pleased to be here and to once again—there have been a few times in just a few weeks—have the opportunity to come and join you before the parliamentary standing committee. I really appreciate the invitation to join you.
As I said previously, I aim to work with all committee members, as we endeavour to make Canada's immigration system the best in the world.
Together, we have the ability to ensure that Canada remains a top destination of choice for the world's most talented and skilled people and to welcome newcomers to our country to make our communities more vibrant and dynamic places to live.
As this committee is well aware, Canada aims to continue attracting record numbers of skilled workers, including those who will help our economic recovery from the pandemic. We also continue to prioritize family reunification and helping the world's most vulnerable. In support of these commitments, I'm pleased to present to the committee some of the key allocations in IRCC's supplementary estimates (C), which total $174.3 million.
The most significant allocation, you'll be pleased to know, is $118 million to support IRCC's operating expenditures. This includes funding to process temporary resident visas for workers, students and visitors, for temporary accommodations for unvaccinated and asymptomatic asylum seekers who do not have a suitable quarantine plan, and for proof-of-vaccination credentials.
IRCC is also seeking $46.8 million for the Canada‑Quebec Accord on Immigration.
As the committee is aware, under this accord, the Government of Quebec maintains responsibility for immigrant settlement and integration services in return for an annual grant.
Also included in these estimates is $4 million to extend the racialized newcomer women pilot. The aim of this pilot is to increase the employment supports and services for newcomer women, to help them find jobs and support their career advancement. We've already seen good success with this pilot, and that's why we'll be extending it for at least another year.
We want to ensure all newcomers can successfully integrate and contribute to the economy and their communities, and this includes immigrant women.
We want our immigration system to meet the needs of all newcomers and serve the interests of Canadians.
Madam Chair, the estimates we’re discussing today will help us advance those goals.
Once again, I thank you for this opportunity to address the committee today, and I’d be more than pleased to answer any questions you may have.