Debates of Oct. 8th, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Madam Speaker, Canada recognizes that international students enrich Canada's society and culture. We have a process in place to welcome and support international students while also maintaining the safety of Canadians.

Everyone applying to come to Canada must meet our eligibility and admissibility requirements. As part of our risk mitigation process, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, conducts comprehensive security screenings to identify those who might pose a threat to Canadians.

Let me assure the hon. member that all foreign nationals applying for study permits are assessed for criminality. We do this by collecting their biometrics, that is, their fingerprints and photographs. Biometrics are a very reliable method of determining admissibility, more than any one document, such as a local police—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member may have his phone on his desk and it is causing some problems for the interpreters. He may want to put it on the chair instead.

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Madam Speaker, biometrics are a more reliable method of determining admissibility than any one document, such as a police certificate. They unequivocally verify an applicant's identity and therefore lead us to any information that is accessible about them. We check every applicant's biometrics against a wide range of databases, from the RCMP in Canada to U.S. immigration and international partner holdings, to identify any potential security risk. Immigration officers then carefully review each application on a case-by-case basis.

Decisions on admissibility are evidence-based and risk-informed, and they follow rules around procedural fairness. Officers may request any additional documents they deem necessary to make a recommendation on a final decision, such as police or additional intelligence reports. However, I should note that, depending on the country of origin, police certificates are not always reliable. Final decisions on admissibility are made at the border by a CBSA officer.

I am disappointed that the Conservatives have been sharing misinformation and attempting to stoke division and drive fear into the hearts of Canadians. I cannot say that I am surprised. After all, it was a Conservative Party that promised to create a barbaric cultural practices hotline that would encourage Canadians to spy on one another. It was the Conservative Party that kept families apart through limited family reunification targets, all because they did not want to let too many seniors into the country. It was the Conservative Party that accuses vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees of abusing Canada's generosity. The Conservatives are doing what they know best, misleading and dividing Canadians. I will not stand for it nor will I dignify their tactics.

As I outlined earlier, all international students are subject to a robust and comprehensive security screening prior to coming to Canada. This includes biometric screening, which then goes through our RCMP database in Canada, U.S. immigration and our international partner holdings. If necessary, an officer can request a police certificate, though I will note that, depending on the country of origin, it is not necessary.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is the government that has divided Canadians and misled Canadians for the last nine years. The member opposite talks about the reliability of police certificates. I do not understand this. They may be useful or they may not be useful, but for a permanent resident application, they are a mandatory requirement. If they are not reliable, why are they a requirement for that program?

Also, if we cannot trust a document from a certain country, how can we accept any other documents that are part of that package as well? How can we rely on those documents? Over the summer, we saw a string of potential terrorist attacks that were stopped at the 11th hour. A potential terrorist was going to stab folks in Toronto and someone was going to travel to New York, here on a potential student visa.

Can the minister please let us know what other safety measures they are going to put in place so that Canadians trust in their immigration system?

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I reiterate that all foreign nationals who come to Canada are required to meet our eligibility and admissibility requirements. As well, all foreign nationals applying for student permits are assessed for criminality, primarily through biometric collection. IRCC also collaborates with its partners to conduct thorough security screenings. An officer can request additional documents, such as a police certificate where needed.

The Conservatives keep referring to a 2018 policy change. There has been no policy change regarding police certificates for temporary residents. Unfortunately, the Conservative Party continues to spread misinformation. On this side of the House, we will continue to build a stronger framework to support and protect international students and Canadians alike.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:13 p.m.)