Citizenship and Immigration Committee on March 23rd, 2026

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

It is, though. I mean, experts are saying that the ruling is likely to overturn your copay for luxury health benefits for failed asylum claimants. Have you told the justice minister that he should probably get on this?

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

I believe what we have introduced, with the copay and the changes we're making, is fair, sustainable and done with the best intention of protecting the people who really need health care, but also protecting—

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

The CBC reported that you don't talk to your colleagues, so did you tell the justice minister that this was a problem?

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

Again, the justice department and the justice minister are seized with legal cases and constitutional cases.

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

Did you say, “Hey, Sean, this is a problemo”? Have you talked to him yet?

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

Again, the changes we proposed—

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

I'll take that as a no.

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

—to the system, we believe, are fair and balanced.

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

I know you don't answer questions and like salad. We established that the last time.

The CBC reported that there are 2.1 million temporary residents—

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Hold the time.

Mr. Fragiskatos, go ahead on a point of order.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

We need to hear the answers, and there's a decorum that we all should abide by.

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

For the record, I would like to put it on the record that it was, in fact, the minister who introduced tabbouleh at this committee before. She introduced it. That is fair game.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Thank you, Mr. Fragiskatos.

We want to maintain decorum and order.

Ms. Rempel Garner, continue with your questions.

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

Thank you.

Minister, the CBC reported that about 2.1 million temporary residents will be left in Canada with expired or expiring visas by the end of this year. There are probably about 500,000 undocumented persons on top of that. However, even with the Auditor General's findings, you're going to issue another 215,000 foreign work permits of one sort or another this year. Why are you doing that, even though we know that most of these millions of citizens won't leave the country voluntarily? That seems crazy to me. Why are you bringing in 200,000 more people, when we have a really big youth jobs crisis, to fill jobs with low-skilled foreign labour?

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

We are aware of the number of temporary resident documents that are scheduled to expire each year. There are couple of things. Some individuals with expiring documents might hold multiple permits. They could be for study or for work. Clearly, though, people who have expired permits are expected to leave. Even your leader said that last week, so I think—

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

Yes, but the problem is that you're not letting—

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

No one should stay here longer than—

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

You're bringing in more people while—

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

—legally allowed.

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

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Ms. Rempel Garner—

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

You guys keep censoring me in this committee. This is my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Ms. Rempel Garner, no one is censoring you.

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

You are.