Evidence of meeting #37 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 u15.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
We've seen the headlines time and time again over the past couple of years about universities and colleges failing because of a so-called lack of international student uptake, to which your organization is advocating for a back door.
What is U15's position on giving Canadian graduates priority access to research positions and funding currently filled by international students? Would you advocate for a position where you reserve a minimum percentage of graduate spaces for Canadian students?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Thank you for the question.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I don't believe that this is a question of either-or. Creating a rich, vibrant and diverse research ecosystem is key to ensuring opportunities for all researchers, international or Canadian. At the same time, it's essential, and U15 has been absolutely—
Conservative
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
I think the Canadian people have heard enough of your reading off talking points.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you, Mr. Ho.
Thank you, Mr. Hammond.
Next, we'll go to Mr. Chang for six minutes.
Go ahead, Mr. Chang.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
My first question is for U15.
Burnaby is home to BCIT and Simon Fraser University. I know they are not members of U15, but you might consider adding them.
My first question for you is this: Canada's research universities attract some of the world's brightest students and researchers. How does this strengthen Canadian students' ability to do research and enhance Canada's innovation economy?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Thank you for the question.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, one of the great successes of Canada's research ecosystem has long been our ability to attract top global talent and create, therefore, a rich research ecosystem that drives innovation, helps the advancement of new technologies and creates opportunities for Canadian students engaged in research as well.
We know that a lot of graduate students work in laboratories on research projects that are federally funded and, therefore, are helping to advance priorities that the federal government has identified through the research granting councils. They're essential to tackling some of the biggest challenges that Canadians are facing and to creating new opportunities. We've seen, in a number of sectors, where Canada has helped lead the world in innovation and technological development, and a lot of that has been thanks to wise immigration policies that have helped attract the very best and brightest talent.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, any reforms that we see to the international study permit program moving forward should be focused on how we get to a system that is managed and responsible but is focused on attracting the best and brightest to Canada and will create opportunities for all Canadians—a system that recognizes excellence and rewards responsible institutions.
We're really pleased to see the government moving forward with initiatives. I mentioned the changes that are being looked at in express entry. Also, the Impact+ research talent initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when Canada meets the moment and goes out and recruits world-class researchers who are going to build opportunities for Canadians here, help grow the economy and address challenges that Canadians, Canadian organizations, Canadian businesses and Canadian communities are looking for help on.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Can you say that international talent directly benefits Canadian students and the Canadian economy?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Absolutely.
As I mentioned, I think one of the great successes of Canada's research ecosystem has been our ability to create those research environments. Graduate students who are domestic and international are working together in labs and libraries as we speak on some of the biggest challenges facing Canadians and creating new opportunities.
It's key that Canada remains internationally engaged so that we understand the latest global knowledge and the latest advancements and innovations that are happening around the world and so that we have access to the latest understanding. We can see, in areas like artificial intelligence and quantum technology, just how quickly technologies are moving and how competitive that space is to attract top global talent.
Continuing to cultivate an environment, as I said, that is managed and focused on the best and brightest will help all Canadians benefit from the research that's taking place at U15 universities and beyond.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Thank you.
As global competition for international talent intensifies, what are the key factors that determine whether leading researchers and graduate students choose Canada over other countries?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Thank you for the question, Madam Chair.
In my opening remarks, I mentioned processing delays for permits, especially at the advanced level. Talent is highly mobile. They have competing offers from other institutions. U15 universities are competing with some of the best universities around the world, so delays in processing create a disruption that does damage Canada's reputation over the long run.
We were really pleased to see the government move forward with the commitment of a two-week processing period for doctoral students. That's excellent. We'll continue to monitor to ensure that IRCC is able to meet that target, which will be really important. Our understanding, as well, is with the Impact+ strategy, there will, again, be efforts to ensure that those processing delays are not a barrier to getting some of that world-class research into Canada. As I said, that uncertainty about whether they can accept an offer from a top Canadian university or not can be a real barrier.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
What roles do international students play in Canada's talent pipeline and future workforce?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Thank you for the question.
This is key, and it's why I mentioned it's really important to look at the entirety of the talent continuum.
We talked about graduate students a lot, but post-doctoral researchers are key to supporting research leads in their labs and libraries. Also, undergraduate and master's level students are key parts of Canada's talent pipeline. Our ability to create pathways toward permanent residency, especially through the express entry program—and it's why we welcome the new category for researchers—has been key to ensuring that we can anchor this top talent and create this pathway to ensure that these researchers grow their ideas, innovate and advance new technologies here in Canada to the betterment of all Canadians.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Looking at Canada's talent attraction strategy, which measures have the greatest potential to help our universities attract and retain world-class researchers and innovators?
Director, Public Affairs, U15 Canada
Thank you for the question, Madam Chair.
I mentioned Impact+ in my initial remarks. This is a timely initiative. It's helping Canada meet the moment when there's a lot of uncertainty in the broader scientific ecosystem.
It's been well designed in that, as I was mentioning, it looks at the entirety of that talent continuum. There is funding there to attract top post-doc and graduate researchers all the way through to world-class researchers.
It's also key to stress to this committee—because I think it has heard earlier testimony about some of the challenges with a brain drain, especially to the U.S., that Canada has experienced in the past—that Impact+ is also designed to welcome back Canadian researchers who maybe moved overseas in the past. That's something we really want to stress. Now is a great moment to come back to Canada to do your work here, to advance your ideas here and to work with Canadians here.
Like I said, our universities have been working very proactively to encourage world-class researchers to come to Canada and advance their ideas here, thanks to this timely initiative.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you, Mr. Hammond.
Thank you, Mr. Chang.
Mr. Deschênes, you have six minutes.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the witnesses for being here with us.
Ms. Rekik, I had the chance to visit your organization and see what you do. I also want to take a few seconds to tell all the committee members what a great example you are of successful integration. You just arrived here a few years ago and now you're the general director of L'Hirondelle. That's really something.
That said, let's talk about the clients that you help at L'Hirondelle. Earlier, a senior official explained to us that the federal government funds services for people who are recognized as refugees, but it does not fund services for asylum seekers.
What happens to this group of people? There are a lot of them.
General Director, L'Hirondelle, Welcoming and Integration Services for Immigrants
That ties into what I was saying earlier in my speech. These people are left to fend for themselves; yet they represent a workforce that is right here and that has potential. We tend to think that asylum seekers do not necessarily have any job skills or education. However, at L'Hirondelle, we help people who are very highly educated. They have university degrees, but they do not have access to any employment support.
That is a real problem because these people immediately find themselves in a very vulnerable situation. For example, we deal with cases of homelessness and extreme vulnerability. Those are the kinds of situations that we are currently dealing with on the ground. People who are left to fend for themselves do not have access to services that are essential to their workforce integration and their economic contribution.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
What impact does this situation have on these individuals and on society in general?
The way the process works, for these asylum seekers to be recognized as refugees, it may take two—
General Director, L'Hirondelle, Welcoming and Integration Services for Immigrants
It takes a very long time.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Depending on the timing, it can take two or three years. Right now, we know that 80% of asylum seekers are ultimately recognized as refugees. During that two- to three-year period, there is no federal government funding and no services for these people.
What impact does that have on these individuals?
General Director, L'Hirondelle, Welcoming and Integration Services for Immigrants
These people have a hard time finding work, entering the labour force and contributing. They become a burden for the host society, but not by choice. They came here with the hope of contributing to society and working, but they do not have the tools, means and support to do so.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Earlier, the senior official said that the federal government issues these individuals work permits. It's true that they are given access to open work permits, as if that were enough.
Why do they need support?
General Director, L'Hirondelle, Welcoming and Integration Services for Immigrants
They need support because they are in a completely new environment. Finding a job requires knowledge of the job market, a professional network and matching with employers. It is not enough to simply issue these people a work permit. They must also be given the means and tools they need to enter the job market more easily.
What is more, the work permits are not issued quickly. It takes time. Getting a work permit is a long process.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
If you had federal government funding to help asylum seekers, exactly what kind of services would you offer?
General Director, L'Hirondelle, Welcoming and Integration Services for Immigrants
We would offer full support, including preparation, knowledge of the job market and matching and communication with employers.
We could also help meet needs that employers have already identified. We play sort of an anchoring role. We also play an essential role in establishing connections between these people and the job market.