Citizenship and Immigration Committee on May 4th, 2026

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

What about Canadians?

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

—and we do have a great system. We know that the people who are coming in are security-cleared. We know where they're working—

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

I guess I'm just wondering, if you can't track whether people who aren't supposed to be here are leaving, why you would be issuing new permits and potentially taking away jobs from Canadian youth in the middle of a jobs crisis, but I digress.

This is pretty bad. Even a lot of folks in the media brought out that this is pretty bad. Has the Prime Minister called you at all to discuss maybe speeding up the implementation of some of these things, given that you're issuing over 200,000 new permits? Has he called you into his office and said, “What the heck?”

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

I have constant meetings with the Prime Minister when we develop our immigration levels plan. That was tabled on November 5.

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

When was the last time you met with him?

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

We have discussions all the time. I see the Prime Minister on a weekly basis.

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

Did he talk to you specifically about the AG report and implementing fixes faster?

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

That's exactly what we're doing.

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

Yes, but did he meet with you? Has he specifically asked you to do that?

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

As I said, I meet with the Prime Minister. We meet weekly.

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

Okay. He has full confidence in you, is what you're saying.

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

I have confidence in Canadians, and I believe Canadians have confidence in this government and in the work we are doing.

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

I'll take that as a yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Ms. Rempel Garner.

Mr. Joseph, you have five minutes.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister and Deputy Minister.

Good morning, everyone.

We are well aware that the Auditor General's report is a cause for concern, but your hard work has paid off. I congratulate you, Minister. Keep up the good work.

In Quebec, we have distinct immigration needs, particularly when it comes to skilled workers in the regions. Last March, our government introduced measures that gave Quebec the flexibility it needed.

Can you give us some details and tell us how these temporary measures will help our Quebec businesses?

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Joseph. I welcome you to this committee, which is crucial to Canada's economy.

As regards Quebec, we are working closely with our counterparts in Quebec, but also with all MPs representing Quebec. I have travelled throughout Canada, including Quebec. There is also the Canada-Quebec Accord relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens, which gives Quebec significant responsibilities in the area of immigration.

As regards collaboration with the Government of Quebec, it is for this reason that we have introduced a temporary measure that will allow a targeted number of foreign workers to extend their work permits and contribute to the Quebec economy. As I told you, we have worked extensively with the Government of Quebec and the Quebec Minister of Immigration, but also with Quebec's representative here at the federal government. I also organized a round table with many Quebec businesses, and we heard very clearly that such a measure was necessary. This was an exceptional but limited measure, reserved for temporary foreign workers who, as you said, are addressing labour shortages in essential sectors where employers have indicated they wish to work on a long-term basis. We will continue to listen and work with the Quebec government, as well as with employers and the people of Quebec.

I invite you to contact me if you have any needs in your regions as well.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you, Minister. I can assure you that this is a great boon to Quebec businesses.

I understand that some of the students highlighted in the Auditor General's report have applied for asylum. As you know, the number of asylum seekers is a crucial issue in Quebec.

Can you explain the trends observed in recent years regarding asylum applications, particularly here in Quebec?

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

Yes, of course.

Allow me to ask my deputy minister to provide you with an explanation.

[Ted Gallivan]

Over the last two years, the number of asylum claims has fallen by 70% to 75%. So, there has been a sharp reduction in the number of new arrivals.

However, some have already arrived. Can the Quebec system accommodate them all? Are there other provinces or territories that might be interested? This question still needs to be addressed.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I would like to ask one final question, as it is very important.

We know that the minister has done an extraordinary job of reversing this trend. Can you tell us what policy has been put in place to reverse this trend?

[Ted Gallivan]

The Safe Third Country Agreement is one example, and Bill C‑12 is another. For Canada, it is a matter of enacting the necessary laws and regulations to demonstrate control and subsequently implementing them.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Thank you, Mr. Joseph.

Thank you, Mr. Gallivan.

Next, we go for five minutes to Mr. Redekopp, who I believe is sharing with Mr. Davies. Then we go to Ms. Sodhi for five minutes, and then we wrap up.

Thank you.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Minister, I'm still a bit confused about the light touch. In the Auditor General's report, she mentioned a number of times this idea of light touch, where the department doesn't do its normal due process.

The question I'm asking you is, has the department eliminated the light touch across the board?

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

Again, there are two processes going on. Are we talking about the student stream or are we talking about the Immigration and Refugee Board?