Madam Speaker, again, we just heard my colleague say that my numbers are fake. We do not even have to name Trump anymore to say that is the kind of language he uses. The member can do better. This is what I am saying. How lazy is his argument if this is what he has to go to?
Let us focus on the issue at hand. The reason the cost of this program has gone up is that, as we all know, and we have debated it quite sufficiently in the House over the last couple of years, the number of immigrants coming to Canada has gone up. The number of refugees seeking asylum has gone up as well. In fact, that number is now starting to come down. However, if the number of people coming in increases, of course the services they need will go up as well. That is why the cost has gone up.
Has the government taken appropriate steps to bring the number down? Absolutely. In fact, we have seen it when it comes to the level plans, the number of temporary foreign workers, and in our arrangement with the United States on how we manage our borders. All of these things have been done, and we have seen results as a product of that. Therefore, of course, the cost of the program will come down as well.
The government is also looking at a copayment model. As many would know, that is part of the budget process that IRCC is working through to ensure that the costs could be managed. That is the thoughtful debate we should be working through in the House, not just trying to say that the entire program is going to fake or bogus refugees. Again, those are not my words but those of the opposition. Let us come up with thoughtful, sophisticated things.
In my last two minutes or so, I would again say to the House that we can do better. We can do better in our debate. We can do better in how we speak to all Canadians, whether they are citizens or not. We should never talk about us versus them. Guess what; I was one of them too at one time. How long will it be before this debate comes down to me or my children becoming “them” again? There is no us and them. We are all in this together.
We build this country together, as everyone before us has done. We will continue to do so. I know the hon. members across the aisle believe that as well. I want them to stand up to their leadership and say no to this kind of debate, absolutely no. This is not what Canadians are asking for. If Conservatives think this is how they are going to get popular again and maybe form government, they are dreaming in la-la land. They are. They will keep their base. Good for them. Their base will never vote for us anyways.
Let us work together. Let us build this country together. I look forward to working with all the members of the House to do that.