Debates of May 28th, 2026

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

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Chair, with all due respect, it is not adequate. If the main estimates discussion tonight ends up being a cry for help, that this is not adequate, that should be taken to the cabinet table. It is not adequate.

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

Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague's opinion. We are working to deliver for Canadians, to fulfill the commitments we made in the election, to bring down the numbers of temporary and permanent residents in 2027 and to bring in talent.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, there is a requirement for cabinet to ensure an ongoing review of the safe third country agreement. Has cabinet reviewed the safe third country agreement since the U.S. implemented mandatory detention without review by a judge for large categories of the refugee claimants returned to the U.S., third-country pass-through deportations and deportations under the dubious asylum co-operative agreements?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Chair, I want to welcome my colleague to the discussion here tonight. She is my immigration critic, and I had a great discussion with her in the summer when we were talking about levels and everything else. I very much value her experience in immigration and also in politics, not just federally but provincially.

The member does ask a good question on the STCA. Does she mind if I continue?

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, it is a yes-or-no question.

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

Mr. Chair, it is not a yes-or-no question. I can answer that question if the member would like.

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

We will go back to the hon. member for a follow-up.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, all the minister has to say is that, yes, they have reviewed it or no.

If the cabinet has not, and it is a requirement of cabinet, can the minister confirm that the government has delegated it down with it going to cabinet when the circumstances warrant?

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

Mr. Chair, we do monitor the U.S. We use a robust framework to continuously monitor U.S. developments and their impact on the refugee protection system.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

That is a no, then.

Mr. Chair, is the minister maintaining data on ICE detention for individuals Canada transferred to U.S. authorities?

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

Mr. Chair, again, as I said, there is a robust framework. There is continuous monitoring by the department, but also by the partners that the department works with.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, is the minister maintaining the data?

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

Mr. Chair, as I said, IRCC monitors that with the partners we work with. It is not simply IRCC. There are other departments that it works with in order to monitor them, and we will continue to do that.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

And the answer is also no.

Mr. Chair, is the minister monitoring the use of ACAs for individuals returned to the U.S. under the safe third country agreement in violation of the safe third country agreement? Has the minister requested assurances from the U.S. authorities that ACAs are not in use for detainees?

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

Mr. Chair, as I said, we are continuously monitoring the situation in the U.S.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, 130 highly qualified Palestinian postgrad students have waited for two years for their study visa with no decision or timeline. Many face requirements that are impossible to meet under the war conditions, including biometrics and extended security screening.

France, Ireland, Belgium and Germany successfully evacuated students who received university scholarships without pre-departure biometrics. They granted emergency entry travel documents and deferred standard biometric collection. Will the minister do the same?

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

Mr. Chair, first let me say that when the member speaks of Gaza and the Middle East, my heart goes out to everyone there. Obviously, I know it is very difficult.

When the member speaks of students, they all go through the same application as any international student. I can tell the member that we have directed officials to accelerate the student visa processing for people in Gaza, and I can confirm—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, with the special immigration measure for Gazans to date, how many names has the government submitted to the governments of Israel and Egypt to request official exit clearance?

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

Mr. Chair, I do not believe I can reply to that. I do not think I have what the member is asking for.

I can tell the member that, as of February 28, approximately 1,360 Palestinians have been approved to come to Canada and approximately 985 people have arrived through the special measures.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, that was not my question. I am asking how many names have been submitted to the Israeli and Egyptian authorities. Maybe her officials can help her.

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

Mr. Chair, in 2024, prior to me becoming a minister, the government introduced special measures to facilitate temporary residence for up to 5,000 extended family members in Gaza of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Chair, I would ask the minister not to waste my time, I only have seven and a half minutes. I would like her to answer the question.

What was the last date the government submitted names, and how many have been processed since the ceasefire?

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

Mr. Chair, the Government of Canada made a commitment for certain numbers, and we are fulfilling that commitment to the best of our abilities.