Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Dec. 4th, 2025

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

—to override the seriousness of the offence. It might be a factor to consider, but—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Do you not know which law you just said?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

No, it would not override the offence.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I really think you have no idea what you're talking about. It's really sad. We're talking about non-citizens who are convicted of serious crime being allowed to stay in Canada.

We put forward an amendment to Bill C-12 that would have corrected this. I did your job for you. I think Peter might be doing your job for you in a couple of months, but you guys didn't support that, so I'm asking you as somebody—

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

There's a point of order from Mr. Fragiskatos.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Let's just maintain focus on the subject at hand, which is immigration, please.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I would love to maintain focus, but the minister, like—

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

We're back on your time, Ms. Rempel Garner.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

She can't even answer a basic question.

You have non-citizens who have been convicted of sexual assault, and judges are using a serious criminality loophole that's in your bill—in your department. Do you think that should maybe be changed?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

People who are committing serious offences will be deported. I'll tell you—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

This guy wasn't. He's still here.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

We're talking about now. I don't know what year you're referring to. I don't really know—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

In all of these cases, they're still here.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Again, I think what you're trying to do is—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I'm standing up for victims.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

This is the recycled approach we heard years ago. It interferes with judicial independence and ignores the Supreme Court precedent.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So you're pro-raper.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Again, the courts have already indicated that serious offences will be dealt with seriously.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

You're pro-sexual assault guys staying in Canada. That's what we're hearing.

Can't you even just say that this is wrong and you'll look at it? Did nobody even say, “Minister, this is really serious”? You should say, “It's serious. I'm going to look into it. Maybe we can work together on it.” You just defended a guy who sexually assaulted somebody and should be deported, and you're the immigration minister.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I don't know the cases. I don't know the facts you're referring to.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I just told you. I raised it in the House, and you guys have done nothing. It's continuing every day. It's rampant in our justice system. You have the responsibility to do this, and you have done nothing. Why?

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Thank you, Ms. Rempel Garner.

Thank you, Minister Diab.

Next we go to Ms. Sodhi for five minutes.

[Amandeep Sodhi, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister, as we know, talent attraction is a huge part of our new immigration strategy. In budget 2025, we introduced significant investments in attracting talent from around the world, specifically to our universities and research institutions.

Can you tell us what role the immigration department is playing in these initiatives? Has IRCC prepared for any new policies or initiatives to support the facilitation of this talent attraction strategy?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

In response to the mandate commitment to attract the best talent in the world while keeping our immigration rates at a sustainable level, IRCC is working with other government departments on actions to ensure that Canada continues to attract highly skilled international talent. Specifically, some of the departments would include National Defence, ISED, the department of jobs and families and so on.

The strategy comprises a series of initiatives to prioritize, target, attract and retain top international talent in Canada. These are people with the skills, education and experience that Canada's labour market needs, and that will always complement the labour force we have here in Canada.

The other thing we're doing is taking people who have doctoral degrees and students to make Canada's research ecosystem and innovation agenda...including advancements in critical sectors like health care, because we recognize the importance of that. We have committed to processing study permits with applications from outside of Canada at the doctoral level within 14 days. In fact, that has already occurred. Quite a few people have already come to Canada in that 14-day period. We are extending this so that if a family member attends with them, they will also be able to bring their family, whether children or a spouse.

Master's and doctoral degree students who are enrolled at our public-designated learning institutions will also be exempt, starting in 2026, from needing certificates. This approach will select the efforts...to recruit high-potential graduate degree program candidates.

[Amandeep Sodhi, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

I'm also curious to know about the economic impact of the new levels plan. Can you tell us how you and the immigration department considered the economic impact when crafting the levels plan? What impact do you predict Canadians will see with this plan?