Mr. Speaker, newcomers to Canada have access to the universal social programs that are paid for by all Canadians.
Immigrants and refugees also have access to our extensive integration and settlement services, the best in the world. The cost of these programs is $271 million a year, a great part of which goes to the province of Quebec. We are talking about language training, assistance in job searches and help for families enrolling their children in schools. The list goes on.
Canadians have told us through consultations that they want those who derive benefits from Canada's wide range of programs and services to help pay for them. Refugees and immigrants have said they want to help as well.
We recognize that not everyone will be able to afford the fee. For that reason we have created a new loan option that will enable refugees to get the financial assistance they need. Like
the loan option for travel, we expect that they will repay those loans at the 95 per cent rate at which they repay the others.
Newcomers to Canada make an investment in their future, a Canadian future, and this is a small price to pay for living in the best country in the world.