Evidence of meeting #17 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was you're.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Of course.
I have a quick question about the Yazidi program.
In 2023, you established a program for these survivors from Iraq. They're in the queue, along with hundreds of thousands of other people. I'm told that folks who applied two years ago are just now starting to be contacted.
How many Yazidis have arrived in Canada under this program?
Liberal
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Actually, what you could do to simplify this is provide a report to the committee on the program—how many applied, how many have been accepted and—
Liberal
Liberal
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Please provide a report. Could you do that? Could I just get confirmation?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you, Mr. Redekopp.
Thank you, Minister Diab.
Next we go to Ms. Sodhi for six minutes.
Liberal
Amandeep Sodhi Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister and officials for being here today.
Minister, I want to give you some time to talk about the protected persons in Canada plan. You wanted to explain it in Mr. Redekopp's time, but I'd like to give you time to explain it and further elaborate on it now.
Liberal
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
I will definitely do that.
Let me start off with the definition of the protected persons in Canada category. I'm going to read it so that I don't make any mistakes, because it is extremely important. It is not a category that most would understand, even if they are in the immigration world.
Protected persons have a recognized protected person status in Canada and can reside in the country. The government is implementing a one-time initiative over a two-year period to streamline the transition of approximately 115,000 protected persons in Canada who are already on a pathway to permanent residence.
Prior to that, given what was decided, we would take x amount per year. Again, it is transparent and it is clear what we are putting there. The fair thing to do is provide these people with permanent residency over the next two years. Of course, with applications, this practical step will deliver on Canada's international humanitarian obligation, but will also provide greater stability to this vulnerable population.
The approach being taken is in recognition of the fact that the vast majority of these people cannot return to their country of origin and are in genuine need of Canada's protection. Their permanent status is already recognized. This will simply accelerate their full integration into Canadian society and their path to citizenship.
As I said and explained, this admission is in addition to the above PR admission targets. There's nothing to hide there. These are individuals who have come to Canada over the years, have gone through the legal system, the legal channels, and have been given status by the courts and refugee system.
They have the right to stay. They are here to stay. They are working. They are contributing to society. They are paying taxes. They are living. They're not taking away housing. They're already housed. That is what this category entails.
Liberal
Amandeep Sodhi Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
That's perfect. Thank you for further elaborating on that.
I'd like to ask you a bit about the levels plan. Either you or the deputy minister may answer the question.
The department has spoken quite a bit about restoring stability within the system. Can you tell us a bit more about what this looks like—what indicators we will see, what will come with that stability and what Canadians can expect in their day-to-day lives as a result of the new levels plan?
Liberal
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
That's a really good question. These are important questions, I believe, that people are really talking about now.
The immigration levels plan we have put forth will take a balanced approach that will meet labour market needs and support Canada's workforce, while making sure that targets reflect available capacity in areas like housing and health care. I have worked personally with the department and at different levels with the provinces and territories over the last six months to see their absorptive capacity. We've taken a balanced approach.
Immigration remains an important tool to complement the Canadian labour force and address ongoing labour shortages in sectors such as health care, skilled trades, agri-food and others that cannot be filled by Canadian workers at this time. Canada remains a top destination for people. We want to ensure that we bring in the best talent to complement the talent we already have in the Canadian population.
Liberal
Amandeep Sodhi Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Can you tell us how you approached consulting stakeholders and Canadians in the process of preparing for the 2026 to 2028 levels plan? What was discussed in some of these conversations? How did these conversations help you shape this plan?
Liberal
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
There were extensive consultations. Actually, there's data the department kept as well. I can certainly read it into the record. I did my own consultation as minister. I know the deputy would have done his own consultation. I know different directors would have also done that. I know the parliamentary secretary did quite a bit.
Beyond all of that, a total of 840 stakeholders and partner organizations completed a survey, as did 18,135 individual respondents. The department held thematic conversations with a number of stakeholders, including urban planners, municipalities, economists, small and medium-sized businesses, francophone organizations, and experts on attracting strategically global talent. The department also invited 530 individuals from first nations, Métis and Inuit-serving—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you, Minister. That's the time.
Thank you, Ms. Sodhi.
Now we move to Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe for six minutes.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Welcome, Minister. I'm happy to have you with us for two hours.
If the Prime Minister of Canada asked you to speed up the processing of citizenship applications for the sole purpose of influencing an electoral process, would you agree to do it?
Liberal
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you for the question.
It isn't complicated. No, I absolutely wouldn't do that.
Let me clarify one thing. Under the agreement between Canada and Quebec, Quebec sets its own annual immigration thresholds. It also selects its permanent immigrants. That means that those people have to be selected when they apply for citizenship. They're already in Quebec.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
What year was the agreement between Canada and Quebec, Minister?
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
However, the former minister of immigration, Mr. Marchi, sped up the processing of citizenship applications in 1995. Your clarification is incorrect, then. You're telling me that it's impossible because there's an agreement between Canada and Quebec. However, it happened in 1995 even though the agreement was signed in 1991.
You're telling me that you wouldn't agree, at the Prime Minister's request, to speed up the processing of citizenship applications to influence an electoral process.
If someone had already done so, it would be a violation of the Canada Elections Act.
That would be unacceptable and appalling in your opinion, since you've just told us that you wouldn't do it.
Is that correct?
Liberal
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
For me, I'm focused on the present, and I continue to work to ensure that our immigration systems are sustainable, have integrity and attract the best talent.
It's impossible for me to comment on the past, since I wasn't there and I don't know the details.