Evidence of meeting #28 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ircc.
A video is available from Parliament.
Director General, Labour Market, Education and Socio-Economic Well-Being, Statistics Canada
Yes, we could.
Liberal
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just want to follow up on a line of questioning by my colleague from the Bloc.
There was a Pollara report that came out last year about racism at the IRCC that is contributing to a lot of the backlog and the toxic environment in IRCC and may be affecting some of the racialized employees.
We know for a fact that in our immigration committee there has not been a single person reprimanded or fired. It's been two years since the anti-racism task force was struck. We also know that there have been managers who obviously had some of these racist tendencies who have even gotten bonuses. For the witnesses on this Zoom right now, is there anyone who can confirm if any employee has either been reprimanded or fired for racist behaviour since that report came out?
Director General, Strategic Policy and Planning, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
No, we don't have access to those human resources statistics at hand.
I can say that the department is taking anti-racism efforts very seriously and attempting to sensitize employees, train employees and put very concrete goals with respect to—
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
I'm sorry. Respectfully, before I hand over to my colleague Mrs. Gray, I would just like to note that it's been two years since that task force was struck. Not a single person has been reprimanded or fired. There have been bonuses given to those same managers who exhibited racist behaviour.
There must be some type of action taken. We don't see any of that. I don't think the public does either, because it's never been brought forward. I just want to make sure that's on the record.
I'll pass it on to Mrs. Gray.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. It looks like I just have one quick question.
We've heard today from IRCC that their processing times are not meeting their standards and, in many cases, are double what the processing times should be. In your department, do you have people who are officials and senior leaders who have received bonuses, even during this time when standards were not met?
Director General, Strategic Policy and Planning, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We wouldn't be privy to the bonuses being provided to others within IRCC.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Thank you.
I want to thank all of the witnesses for making themselves available on this beautiful Friday afternoon.
Beyond that, on behalf of the entire committee, thank you for your service to Canadians.
Thanks to all members and to the analysts.
Thank you to the interpreters, the clerks, and the support staff.
I wish you all a great weekend. Take care of yourselves.
The meeting is adjourned.
