Evidence of meeting #21 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 communities.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Lawyer, As an Individual
Every asylum application, as it's written, will always contain a narrative, a story, which, if it's accepted by the IRB, will meet the test for refugee status.
Lawyer, As an Individual
In other words, you can't tell whether a claim is true or false just by looking at the written paper application. The only way to do that is by asking questions.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Yousif, you basically seem to be saying that this was known around the world. People learned that they could now apply for refugee status if they came from certain countries and that there was no security screening.
What effect did that have?
Lawyer, As an Individual
I think it's possible that this policy may have had the effect of attracting more asylum claims to Canada. I also think that having an acceptance rate of 80% may also be acting as a pull factor, attracting more asylum claims to Canada.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you.
We have 10 minutes left for this round. I'm going to give four minutes to Ms. Rempel Garner and four minutes to Mr. Zuberi, and
two minutes to Mr. Deschênes.
Michelle Rempel Garner, please go ahead.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Thank you, Chair.
Just to summarize, Mr. Yousif, when I saw the list come out in 2019, I assumed that this was a way for the Liberals to quickly clear the backlog—or attempt to. Would you characterize the list system that you talked about as a way to clear the backlog, essentially? That was likely the motivation.
Lawyer, As an Individual
The country list was published by the IRB; it was not published by the Liberals or the Government of Canada. I think, to me, that actually points to one of the more concerning aspects about this, which is that the IRB unilaterally implemented this policy.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Okay. I've heard enough on this.
I move:
That, having regard for the February 23, 2026, National Post article titled “Overwhelmed by asylum claims, Ottawa coped by ignoring security protocol”, and further to its study on Canada's immigration system, the committee invite the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to appear before the committee for two hours, at the earliest opportunity and no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
My rationale for moving this motion is as follows, colleagues. The study that we're undertaking right now is to examine ways to improve the order, fairness and effectiveness of Canada's immigration system, and a point under that was the asylum system.
We've heard here today that the IRB made a unilateral decision, potentially, to expedite asylum claims from a list of countries that may have put Canadian security at risk. I think they need to come to the committee to answer what exactly happened here. Otherwise, I think that we're going to continue to just have numerous news stories on this, and I'd like to get them on the record.
This is very concerning, and this would also be in alignment with our study. It could just be another witness list as well.
Thank you.
Liberal
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I suggest that we suspend in order to have a conversation on this motion. Given that it's a surprise, we have to reflect on this.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Please take your seats. We'll come back to this.
Is there anyone who would like to speak to this?
Monsieur Deschênes.
Mr. Deschênes, you have the floor.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
My comment will be brief.
I think it's relevant. This is new information, but it is part of the study undertaken by the committee. Given what the witness indicated, it is entirely relevant and appropriate in the circumstances to call officials from the Immigration and Refugee Board. That is why I will support my colleague's request.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for giving me the time to consult with my caucus members and reflect on the proposal. We support the motion, and we're ready to go to a vote.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Since it seems that everybody unanimously approves, I don't think we need a formal vote.
(Motion agreed to)
I see we've come up against our time, unfortunately.
Mr. Pierce, it doesn't seem that you have been able to answer any questions, but we need a few minutes to go through the supplementary estimates.
Mr. Redekopp.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
I'd like to move the following motion:
That the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, along with the appropriate officials from the department and the Immigration and Refugee Board, be invited to appear on the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2025-26, for two hours; and that this meeting take place at least five calendar days before the supplementary estimates are to be reported to the House.
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
We have done a lot of business today.
I want to thank the witnesses for their testimony today. Thank you for your contribution to our study.
Mr. Pierce, please rest assured that your testimony was very important to us today. You didn't get any questions, but if you heard anything that you would like to contribute to, please feel free to follow up on it in writing. We take additional testimony afterwards. That goes to everyone. Sometimes you think about things you would have wanted to say, but didn't say. That would be important for us.
The meeting is adjourned.