Madam Speaker, I would like to get back to the reason why we want to discuss Canadian citizenship. Why is it so important in terms of legislation? Why do we need new citizens in Canada? Why should we have more Canadian citizens?
Canadians are well aware of the fact that we are, unfortunately, an aging population. The hon. members opposite might want to listen to what it means to be a Canadian citizen, since they are Canadians and are entitled to all the privileges that come with Canadian citizenship, but want to reject it.
Let me come back to my speech. Allow me to explain our need for immigrants in this country. We know that by 2017, at the latest, we will have serious problems in the workforce because we will be unable to fill all the available jobs. We have also known for many years now, given the aging population and the low birth rate, that old age pensions will become a serious problem. Not enough young people are contributing to the pension fund for us to even receive benefits.
In the history of Canada, and among ourselves, who sit in the House of Commons at this time, immigration has been an important issue. On this side of the floor, we are greatly interested in two things: that immigrants continue to come to this country in large numbers, and that they acknowledge they are here to stay. We want the government and the people of Canada to recognize that, when these people receive Canadian citizenship, they are here to stay and will make a major contribution to our culture, our history and our economy.
What is more, contrary to what the hon. member for Calgary—Nose Hill said last week concerning this side of the House, the government in particular, we have already taken some extremely important steps to help newcomers become full-fledged members of Canadian society.
We know that the government of the province I come from, Quebec, has entered into an agreement with the Government of Canada to enable it to bring in a certain number of immigrants who speak French and are therefore able to adapt more readily to Quebec's francophone community. Quebec has also set up reception classes to help immigrant children to integrate into French language classes. These have been a great success. We can see how much these children have become citizens of Canada. They speak French and live in Quebec, but they are fully citizens of Canada.
As well, contrary to what the member for Calgary—Nose Hill said last week, we are helping family reunification. We know that newcomers to Canada have often left families behind. This is a very important issue. We know what a heartrending experience that is, for everyone, and we want to help. We have already put in place a number of measures to help people sponsor relatives, including parents and even grandparents.
Unfortunately, the sponsorship system is slow, indeed, much slower than we would like it to be. That is why we have made a proposal to the minister. A few weeks ago, the minister himself announced that, from now on, sponsored individuals, especially parents and grandparents, will be allowed to come here on multiple-entry tourist visas so that they can remain in Canada while their applications for immigration and sponsorship are being processed. This means that new immigrants will be integrated as quickly and as smoothly as possible, particularly by becoming citizens.
Since I became a member of Parliament, and even earlier, I have attended hundreds of citizenship ceremonies in Quebec. I have seen thousands of people from around the world swear they will be good Canadian citizens. What does that oath mean? It means that these individuals recognize that being a citizen of Canada means enjoying rights, the same rights as every other citizen.
That has not always been recognized. A citizen who was not born Canadian but has become Canadian is entitled to the same rights as every other Canadian-born citizen. This is something important that we have created here in Canada and that we will continue to recognize. All Canadian citizens are equal before the law. They all enjoy the same rights and the same privileges. They all have the same responsibilities. More and more, people taking the oath before a citizenship judge recognize that to be a Canadian citizen is also a responsibility.
The success of individuals who have become Canadian citizens is obvious here in the House. They have accepted this responsibility. Many people here in the House were not born in Canada and have accepted the responsibility of representing other Canadians, both those born here and elsewhere. These MPs have shouldered the responsibility of being elected, helping to create Canada's legislation and working on behalf of their fellow Canadians, both those born here and elsewhere.
So, the rights and responsibilities that new citizens accept are extremely important. I would even say this is a fundamental part of the oath sworn before the citizenship judge. People who take this oath know and accept this and are extremely satisfied with it.
My riding of Laval—Les Îles has a very high percentage of new citizens, people who came from many countries, including Portugal, Greece, Armenia, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. They all work. They send their children to school. They have agreed to help Canada. They have come here for a better life. However, they have accepted their responsibilities not only toward Canada as a country but also toward their fellow Canadians.