Madam Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today on this study of Canada's immigration system.
Today I'm going to focus my comments on two areas: asylum and asylum systems.
It's noteworthy that I am speaking in a year when we marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 refugee convention. In the aftermath of World War II, the convention was a landmark commitment by states to ensure that people fleeing persecution would never again be left without protection. Marking this anniversary is not simply an occasion for reflection. It's also an occasion for states to reaffirm their promise to uphold its principles at a time of increasing forced displacement due to war, conflict and persecution.
At its heart, the refugee convention affirms a simple but powerful idea: that those forced to flee have the right to seek asylum and that protecting them is a shared responsibility.
In today's world, defined by conflict and fragmentation, this commitment is being tested. As of mid-2025, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, 8.4 million of whom were asylum seekers.
Behind every statistic is an individual forced to flee in order to survive, carrying with them the hope for safety and dignity. It's important to note that asylum has never been an act of generosity. Rather, it's an expression of courage—the courage of those who flee and the courage of societies that welcome them, even when it demands effort, resources and political will.
Today, the global asylum system is under strain. Responsibility for hosting refugees continues to fall disproportionately on countries closest to the conflict: 71% of refugees are hosted in the countries neighbouring their own, most of them low- and middle-income countries. This imbalance erodes protection, fuels irregular and dangerous journeys, and leaves far too many people in prolonged uncertainty.
Canada has a vital role to play in this through its asylum system and by maintaining an example to the world of how to properly assess asylum applications. This means ensuring fair and efficient asylum procedures and access to due process. Timely decision-making is essential, not only for public confidence but for the people whose lives remain on hold while they wait. Fairness and efficiency are not competing goals; they are mutually reinforcing pillars of a credible system.
Right now, Canada receives less than 2% of the world's asylum applications, and that number continues to decline. Now is the perfect time to look at ways to increase efficiency, innovate and improve on the tools already at its disposal, such as the Immigration and Refugee Board, whose expertise is well recognized internationally. The best way to address system backlogs and integrity concerns is by processing cases in a timely manner, not by deterrence measures.
In discussing these complex realities, which are often of a technical nature, we have a shared responsibility to work together to ensure that the conversation about asylum and refugees remains objective and balanced. It should be based on sound legal analysis and facts rather than populist rhetoric. Asylum systems must be flexible to address changes in the patterns and profiles of asylum seekers. This ensures public confidence in the integrity of the system while safeguarding against returning people to persecution.
Internationally, Canada's responsibility extends beyond emergency humanitarian assistance. Durable solutions require supporting host countries. Resettlement remains a powerful expression of international solidarity. Canada's leadership in this area sends an important signal at a time when safe pathways are narrowing globally, forcing people to make perilous journeys along irregular routes. However, resettlement cannot replace asylum. Both are essential, complementary components of a robust international system and fully aligned with the spirit and letter of the refugee convention.
As we mark its 75th anniversary, we are reminded that the convention is not a relic of the past. It's a living commitment, and Canada has both the credibility and the capacity to lead where we're going at this critical moment.
UNHCR stands ready to work with the government to advance a critical and principled response to the displacement.
Thank you.