Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 1st, 2026

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Has the department examined policies or incentives to encourage a more balanced distribution of asylum claimants across Canada, particularly to support settlements in regions facing labour shortages and housing pressures outside the largest urban centres, like Toronto and Vancouver?

[Catherine Scott]

Asylum seekers are drawn to settle in the larger cities across the country as they look for employment opportunities. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, IRCC has signed two agreements with Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Both jurisdictions are looking at an employment-first model. They're looking at the types of skills that asylum seekers bring and helping them connect with employers in both of their jurisdictions to find employment. They're also ensuring that they have both temporary housing and a transition to permanent housing once they arrive in their provinces.

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Many Canadians support a compassionate asylum system, but they also expect a system that is orderly and sustainable. What specific steps is the department taking to restore public confidence in the management of the system or of asylum claims?

[Jason Hollmann]

The measures that were recently approved in the strengthening borders act were designed to help address some of the challenges currently facing the system.

There were two parts to those measures. One was to look at how to deter potential misuse and manage surges in relation to ineligibility measures...for claims to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board. A second package of measures under that bill was specifically designed to address some of the bottlenecks and challenges in the system so that claims could reach a decision faster.

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

How closely is IRCC coordinating with provinces, municipalities and service providers before relocating asylum claimants to ensure that communities have the capacity to support them properly?

[Catherine Scott]

We've been working quite closely with both New Brunswick and Newfoundland. As I mentioned initially, when those agreements were signed, the two jurisdictions took asylum claimants from IRCC hotels and are now working more closely with some of the municipalities that are funded under IHAP.

In terms of some of the investments we've made in IHAP, we have really focused on building capacity to have reception centres and transitional housing in the greater Toronto and Hamilton areas, where we've seen a very large volume of asylum claimants. Among those municipalities, there is collaboration to ensure that they are supporting each other. When one municipality feels some pressure, another municipality that may have a lower volume of individuals in its system is able to relieve that pressure and provide support. I think you heard from the regional municipality of Peel about some of the work they've been doing in collaboration with some of the surrounding municipalities.

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Some communities have stepped up to welcome newcomers while others are already struggling with housing shortages and strained public services. How is IRCC ensuring that the asylum system remains fair both to the claimants and to the receiving communities?

[Catherine Scott]

Certainly, asylum claimants deserve our support, and a number of measures are in place to support them as they move through the asylum process. The previous witnesses talked about legal aid support and the IFHP, as well as an open work permit to support them in finding work opportunities and to support their families throughout the asylum process. There are a number of measures to support them.

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Thank you very much.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

I have been allotted six minutes.

Ms. Scott, you talked about a working group. Who is part of the group?

[Catherine Scott]

Thank you for the question.

The group I mentioned was set up in 2024. The discussion took place with all the provinces and territories. The group's work ended, but the department—

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

When did it end?

[Catherine Scott]

It was at the end of 2024.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

It's been disbanded, then.

[Catherine Scott]

Yes, but the conversations are ongoing.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

What is the nature of the ongoing conversations?

[Catherine Scott]

For example, we are in the process of renewing the interim housing assistance program, so we have started a conversation with the provinces about the direction the program should take in the future.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

However, in terms of equitable distribution, are there still conversations between the federal government and the provinces that have not agreed, so far, to participate?

[Catherine Scott]

There's always constructive dialogue. The first provinces to sign an agreement were New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Earlier, you said that the provinces and territories worked with you on a voluntary basis and that you had reached an agreement with New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. I gather, then, that since 2024, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have declined to take part.

[Catherine Scott]

For the time being, there are only two agreements, the ones signed with Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Have all the provinces I just mentioned to you declined to take part?

[Catherine Scott]

In 2024, they decided not to pursue an agreement with the federal government.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

So when you say that the conversations are ongoing, I understand that they are not. A large number of provinces have declined to take part and there's no discussion about that.

[Catherine Scott]

There is always constructive dialogue with the provinces and territories. As I mentioned, we've had conversations about renewing the interim housing assistance program, and provinces can still receive funding for relocation.