Debates of May 28th, 2026

Department of Citizenship and Immigration—Main Estimates, 2026-27

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, we have seen successes. I have already said that there has been a 71% decrease in asylum claims in Quebec. With the passage of Bill C‑12, we are also going to see more—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, how can the minister call the current situation a success, when Quebec represents 22% of Canada's population but accepts 38.78% of all asylum seekers in Canada?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, I want to say a few words about the people of Quebec. They are very welcoming people, and we thank them all. However, the federal government has also done its part and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, how can the minister call a situation that has not improved a success?

Quebeckers still receive nearly twice as many asylum seekers as they should, given their demographic weight within Canada.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, as I have already said, we have significantly reduced the number of asylum seekers and we are working harder with the provinces and territories to resettle them as well.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, the number of asylum seekers is one thing. The distribution of asylum seekers across Canada is another.

How can the minister say today that this is a success when the situation has not changed, and Quebec continues to take in a disproportionate share of asylum seekers relative to its demographic weight within the Canadian federation?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, I work with Quebec all the time on this issue, as well as on many others.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would ask the minister to explain where the success is when it comes to the equitable distribution of asylum seekers.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, indeed, the number of asylum seekers has been reduced in Quebec by 71% in the last two years. We have also worked with provinces and territories. We will continue to do that to ensure that refugees are able to go to other provinces, with the help of the provinces and territories and the financial assistance of the Government of Canada.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, the minister tells us that she believes in the goal that is the equitable distribution of asylum seekers. She even tells us that it is a success. She explains that the number of asylum seekers is decreasing, which does not answer the question.

The question is that there is currently an inequitable distribution of asylum seekers and that Quebec receives more than 38% of all asylum seekers while accounting for only 22% of the population. Where does the minister see success in that?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, the point here is that Quebec has received more than $1.1 billion to help cover the costs associated with asylum seekers. Since 2019, we have continued to work with the other provinces on distribution.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, should the minister not acknowledge that there has been no progress and that the situation is still as bad as it was in 2024?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, as I have already said, we are awaiting the report from the committee, which is currently examining this very issue.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, is the minister aware that, within the European Union, in Germany, and also in Denmark, procedures for the distribution of asylum seekers have been put in place?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, I have already spoken with representatives from several countries while I was at the United Nations headquarters this month. Our work continues.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, does the minister intend to draw on practices in Europe, in particular, to establish a process for the distribution of asylum seekers?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, as I said, we are awaiting the committee's report because I hope my colleagues will also have useful insights for us.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, rather than taking immediate action, why is the minister, who claims to support the idea of equitable distribution but has failed to present any concrete proposals, still waiting for our report after several months as head of the Department of Immigration?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, on the contrary, we have been successful. A reduction of 71% can certainly be considered a success.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, will the minister acknowledge that her predecessor failed in her attempts to get the provinces to agree on a better way to distribute asylum seekers?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Chair, as I already mentioned, we had discussions with the provinces and territories during my last meeting and we will have more.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Chair, before I begin, I should inform you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Moncton—Dieppe.

I want to thank the minister for working so tirelessly since taking charge of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, as well as for collaborating so constructively with Quebec on the management of asylum seekers.

I am pleased to rise today to speak to the integrity and security of Canada's immigration system, as well as the tools that enable us to keep the system fair, orderly and trustworthy. The strength of an immigration system does not depend on the number of people Canada takes in. It depends on clear rules, reliable controls, secure processing and public trust.

That is why the main estimates 2026-27 provide funding for the individuals, systems and tools supporting identity verification, program integrity and secure decision making. A fair immigration system must also be secure. Rigorous screening and identity verification are not barriers to immigration. They are safeguards that protect Canadians and legitimate applicants while upholding trust in the systems.

The Government of Canada's approach to immigration screening is not based on a single decision point. It involves a continuum supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and international partners. It starts before a person travels to Canada and continues when they seek entry at the border. It may continue post-arrival as new information becomes available or as other immigration decisions are made. The goal at each step is to facilitate lawful movement and immigration while identifying risks and protecting the system's integrity.

Before someone arrives in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, examines their application for a visa or electronic travel authorization. Officers examine the information provided, assess whether the applicant meets the requirements for entry to Canada, and review the application based on risk factors and other verification criteria. Personal information, including fingerprints and photos, helps confirm the individual's identity and support criminal background checks. This information can be compared against Canadian databases and, as applicable, against information held by trusted international partners.

These checks help officers to determine whether there are grounds for deeming someone inadmissible to Canada, including security concerns, criminal activity, false statements or other reasons set out in Canadian law. In some cases, applicants may have to undergo additional screening by security partners. IRCC works with the CBSA, CSIS and international partners to support screening and decision-making. This collaboration is vital. No one tool can protect the system. The system's integrity depends on officer training, clear rules, reliable intelligence, security systems and strong government partnerships.

Biometrics is one of these important tools. This data helps to answer one of the most fundamental questions of any immigration system: Is the applicant really who they claim to be? Biometrics make the system more reliable by helping to establish identity, detect identity fraud, conduct background checks and confirm that decisions are based on accurate information. This protects Canadians. It also protects legitimate applicants by ensuring that those who follow the rules are not adversely affected by those who try to use a false identity or fraudulent documents or those who make false statements.

That is why the 2026-27 main estimates include $188.1 million under the Department of Citizenship and Immigration for the cost of biometric data collection. This funding helps maintain the continuity of biometric data collection services through a global network of visa application centres, or VACs.

These third-party providers are mandated to provide administrative support to applicants, particularly with regard to the collection of biometric data, and to help deliver services in many parts of the world. Let me be clear. Visa application centres do not make decisions regarding applications. They do not provide advice on visas. Decisions remain in the hands of trained immigration officers who apply Canadian law.

IRCC also provides oversight of visa application centres through performance-tracking agreements, inspections and requirements related to security and privacy. VACs help ensure that the process is secure and accessible. They allow applicants to complete important administrative steps, including the collection of biometric data, while officers focus on assessing applications and making decisions.

Privacy and security are at the heart of this work. Information collected for immigration purposes must be treated with care and in accordance with Canada's laws, policies and protections. The security continuum continues at the border. A visa or travel document does not guarantee entry into Canada. When an individual arrives at a port of entry, border services officers play an important role in assessing their admissibility and ensuring that they continue to meet the requirements to enter Canada.

This means that, even if the screening is done before the trip, the system still has safeguards in place at the port of entry—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

I have to interrupt the hon. member.

The hon. minister has only 15 seconds for her right of reply.