House of Commons Hansard #83 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was border.
Jim Peterson LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, yes, we had discussions with the stock exchanges on this.
We also had discussions with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Discussions are now taking place between it and our financial institutions in order to obtain their full co-operation in working with the authorities of our two countries to combat terrorism.
Carolyn Parrish Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, there are still hundreds of thousands of human beings on the verge of starvation all over the world. Recently the Minister for International Cooperation consulted with over 1,000 groups and individuals across Canada on how we could make our foreign aid more effective.
Could she report to the House on how at the G-8 conference this year she will be able to present a more effective plan to help these people?
Maria Minna LiberalMinister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, I have held consultations in 10 Canadian cities and met with 1,100 organizations and individuals across Canada.
Some of the issues we discussed that will help us to prepare our position for the G-8 are strategic co-ordinated local ownership, which is very important to many NGOs and countries, and stronger democratic sustainable governance, another issue which was discussed and is very important.
There is also the importance of education in developing countries to assist them to lift themselves out of poverty, especially education for women and girls, and of market access and economic development. These were some of the very major issues discussed which will help us tremendously.
Lynn Myers Liberal Waterloo—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege. In a statement prior to question period today the member for Vancouver Island North said, among other things, that last night the Prime Minister was at a Liberal fundraiser in Toronto. This is totally false.
I know the hon. member would not want to mislead the House and give false information. I would ask that he withdraw that comment.
PrivilegeOral Question Period
The Speaker
Perhaps the hon. member for Vancouver Island North would like to say something in response. I am not sure this is a question of privilege, but we will hear from the hon. member for Vancouver Island North.
John Duncan Canadian Alliance Vancouver Island North, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify that if that is the case I obviously withdraw it. I think the important point is we know where he was not and where he was is another question.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. After consultation among all parties and with the full support of all party leaders I ask that you seek consent of the House to move and adopt without debate the following motion. I move:
That this House:
(a) Issue an urgent and immediate plea to political, community and faith leaders to speak out against violence, intolerance, or hatred of any kind, directed at Muslims, Arabs and other visible minorities: and
(b) In the name of the Canadian people, reassert our country's fundamental adherence to the rule of law, and to preserving and protecting our human rights as outlined in our charter.
Points of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
Does the hon. member for Halifax have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?
Points of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Joe Jordan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 11 petitions.
Carolyn Parrish Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
With your permission, Madam Speaker, I have two reports. Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Canadian-NATO Parliamentary Association which represented Canada at the meeting of the subcommittee on the future security and defence capabilities of the NATO parliamentary assembly held in Belgium and the Netherlands from May 6 to May 11, 2001.
Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) as well, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Canadian-NATO Parliamentary Association which represented Canada at the spring session of the NATO parliamentary assembly held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from May 27 to May 31, 2001.
Joe Jordan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Madam Speaker, Question No. 58 will be answered today.
Randy White Canadian Alliance Langley—Abbotsford, BC
With respect to the net impact on Canada's medical system and social programs of the family reunification class of immigration over the latest year period for which data is available, has the net impact been increasing or decreasing, and has the family reunification class been a net contributor to, or a net beneficiary of, Canada's medical system and social programs over that same period?
Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, with respect to Human Resources Development Canada, since provincial governments administer social programs, it is difficult to ascertain, with any degree of certainty, the impact of the family reunification class of immigration.
Among immigrant families that have been in Canada for 10 to 15 years, the incidence of poverty, defined as the percentage falling below the low income cut off, is comparable to that for Canadian-born families: 13% for immigrant families v. 14% for Canadian-born families in 1997.
However, immigrants tend to have a higher level of education and skills than other Canadians. In 1999, 57% of working-age immigrants at landing had a post-secondary degree, compared to about 42% of the Canadian working age population. Moreover, research shows that once immigrants adapt to Canada and the demands of the labour market, the average income of immigrant families exceeds that of Canadian families.
There are a number of reasons why immigrants may experience problems integrating successfully into the labour market. For example, individuals trained in a foreign country often encounter obstacles having their education, experience, skills, training and credentials assessed or recognised in Canada. This is why the January 2001 Speech from the Throne outlined the need to attract skilled workers to Canada, and the government's intent to work in co-operation with the provinces and territories to secure better recognition of the foreign credentials of immigrants and to ease their integration into Canadian society.
It is important to note, however, that the share of immigrants in the family class has actually been declining. Immigrants are divided into three main groups: economic class, family class and refugees. Between 1980 and 1999, the share of immigrants coming to Canada in the family class fell from 34% to 29%, while the share of immigrants in the economic class rose from 32% to 56%. Accounting for more than one-half of all immigrants in 1999, the economic class is much less likely to need to use social programs, relative to the family class or refugees.
Human Resources Development Canada is unable to provide an assessment of the net impact over the last 10 years of the family reunification class of immigration on Canada's old age security, OAS, program and the Canada pension plan, CPP, as statistics are not collected on immigrants who come to Canada to join family members already established in Canada.
However, newcomers to Canada must earn the right to benefits just like any other Canadian. Social security agreements with other countries can help people to qualify for OAS and CPP benefits.
Eligibility for the OAS pension is based on age and residence in Canada. Newcomers to Canada have never been eligible for full OAS benefits immediately upon arrival. Most individuals must live in Canada at least 10 years after age 18 in order to get a partial OAS pension. However, people who move from one country to another to live or work can qualify in less than 10 years for Canadian pension benefits through the application of international social security agreements. These agreements co-ordinate the operation of the OAS program with comparable programs in other countries, and enable individuals to maintain continuity in their social security coverage. Through these agreements, an individual may qualify for a partial OAS pension by adding together periods of residence in Canada and periods of residence and/or coverage, credits, under the programs(s) of another country to meet the minimum residence requirement.
In March 1996 the rules applicable to some immigrants from countries with social security agreements with Canada were modified in two ways. First, sponsored immigrants from a country with which Canada has an international agreement are not eligible for the guaranteed income supplement or allowance benefits during their sponsorship period, up to a maximum of 10 years, except in specific circumstances. The supplement and the allowance are income tested benefits provided to people who are largely dependent on the OAS pension. This change recognizes the responsibility of sponsors to support immigrants during that time. Second, non-sponsored immigrants from these same countries can earn the supplement or allowance benefit at a rate of 1/10 for each year of residence in Canada after age 18.
Eligibility for CPP benefits is based on participation in the Canadian workforce. The CPP is designed to replace a portion of the earnings from employment or self-employment that are no longer available to contributors and their families due to retirement, disability, or death. To qualify for a CPP retirement pension, a person has to have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP. However, the pension would be very small. A newcomer to Canada would have to contribute for several years to qualify for a CPP disability benefit. A person has to have made contributions for at least four years in the last six years. Survivors benefits are based on the contributions of the deceased. Social security agreements can help people who come from countries with social programs comparable to the CPP to qualify for disability and survivors benefits. Each country pays in proportion to the number of years or credits built up in the respective plans.
With respect to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, no data is available as to the net impact of family reunification on Canada's medical system and social programs. Although it is difficult to quantify their contribution to Canada, family class immigrants do contribute to Canada's economy. Parents and grandparents may serve as caregivers to working parents, and other family class members may assist in family operated businesses which creates employment for all Canadians.
Countries are made up of individual families and this reality is enshrined in the Immigration Act, which has as one its objectives to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives from abroad.
With respect to Health Canada, it does not maintain such information.
Joe Jordan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Madam Speaker, if Questions Nos. 44, 50, 55, 57 and 61 could be made orders for returns, the returns would be tabled immediately.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
Is that agreed?
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
What advertising, promotional and information campaigns (exhaustive list) have been broadcast on television and radio since January 1, 2001, by each federal department and agency, and how much has each of these campaigns cost?
Return tabled.
Leon Benoit Canadian Alliance Lakeland, AB
What amounts were paid by government departments and agencies to the McMillan Binch law firm for professional services during each fiscal year since 1991?
Return tabled.
Jocelyne Girard-Bujold Bloc Jonquière, QC
For the fiscal year 1999-2000, can the government provide a detailed list of all grants awarded by the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec in Quebec's 75 federal ridings?
Return tabled.
Peter Goldring Canadian Alliance Edmonton Centre-East, AB
Has the government formulated a national housing policy and, if so, what definitions has it given the following terms in regard to single persons: ( a ) “affordable housing”; ( b ) “poverty”; ( c ) “rooming house”; and ( d ) “homeless”?
Return tabled.
John M. Cummins Canadian Alliance Delta—South Richmond, BC
With regard to the fishing industry and infrastructure necessary to support it on a riding basis for the fiscal years 1997-98 to 2000-01 inclusive: ( a ) what was the funding for fishing harbours under the Small Craft Harbours Program; and ( b ) what was the value of fish landings?
Return tabled.
Joe Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON
I ask, Madam Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.