Evidence of meeting #15 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was brunswick.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to begin by thanking our witnesses for being here today.
As I have only two minutes, I'll begin with Mr. Sarr, And then move on to Mr. Kiti.
You spoke about ways of changing or expanding immigration services for international students from francophone African countries. We've been told that the refusal rates for them are very high.
Do you think this has something to do with the shortage of resources for francophones? What's your opinion on that?
Assistant to the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
We certainly do sometimes get the impression that there is a a high turnover rate. I noticed some really extreme cases this year. The students arrived at the airport, and were sent back home. They had to pay for another ticket, which can sometimes cost over $2,000.
It happened because they arrived in the middle of a term. This year, there were really a lot of problems. I think that these resources, it's clear and we have noticed it…
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Do you think the number of visa offices in Africa should be increased?
The Senegal office is already serving around 26 countries. Do you think more offices would be helpful?
I will now ask my final question because there's only a minute left. Do you think there ought to be a francophone immigration unit to deal solely and specifically with francophone immigration?
Assistant to the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
That might indeed be effective. It's a problem that exists around the world. Some of our students often go to other countries. They travel in order to get a visa. It could help, particularly if the provincial and federal governments work together.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Thank you very much. That's all the time we have.
We'd like to let our witnesses know, Mr. Kiti, Mr. Sarr and Mr. Laberge, that they can send any additional information they might have wanted to give us in writing to our clerk. She will then distribute it to all the committee members, and they in turn will familiarize themselves with it. Any supplementary information that could add to what we know, and help us as we prepare our report, would be welcome.
I would like to thank you on behalf of the committee and all of its members. It was truly a very interesting meeting. Thank you very much.
The meeting is adjourned. Good afternoon to everyone.