Debates of May 28th, 2026

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

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

Mr. Chair, does the minister agree that it is appropriate for the number of asylum seekers to be distributed fairly among Canada's provinces?

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

Mr. Chair, we began this dialogue during our meeting with the other provinces.

I can say that New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have agreed to take in a number of refugees.

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

Mr. Chair, does the minister agree in principle that it is appropriate to distribute asylum seekers fairly across Canada's various provinces?

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

Mr. Chair, as I have already said, I am working closely with the ministers responsible for immigration in all the provinces and territories. This is an ongoing discussion.

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

Mr. Chair, I understand that this is a conversation and that the government has already paid Quebec compensation for its efforts. My question for the minister is the same.

Does she agree in principle on the need for equitable distribution among the provinces?

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

Mr. Chair, as I said before, we have some good examples. New Brunswick's immigration minister has set an example for all other ministers that it is—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

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

Mr. Chair, I would like the minister to answer this very simple question. I understand that conversations are going on and that there may be some shining examples.

However, does she agree with the principle that asylum seekers have to be distributed among the various Canadian provinces?

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

Mr. Chair, as I was saying, discussions are under way and some refugees are already moving to Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick. We are still working with these provinces.

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

Mr. Chair, can the minister answer the question? Does she agree that the number of asylum seekers should be distributed fairly among Canada's provinces based on their population?

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

Mr. Chair, we are working with the provinces and territories on achieving that objective.

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

Mr. Chair, I understand that the minister is working toward the objective of distributing asylum seekers fairly among the various provinces and, therefore, that she supports this principle. Now, what steps is she taking to achieve this?

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

Mr. Chair, I will answer in English.

As I understand it, right now at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, there is an ongoing study about that. I very much look forward to receiving the results of that study.

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

Mr. Chair, I understand from the minister's response that she supports this objective of distributing asylum seekers fairly. That goes without saying, because, obviously, the more asylum seekers we have, the higher the costs to the public treasury. In Quebec, there is also the challenge of integration in French. According to the French language commissioner, between 33% and 40% of asylum seekers arriving in Quebec have difficulty mastering the French language.

Does the minister plan to revive the committee that was established in 2024 to work toward a better distribution among the provinces?

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

Mr. Chair, the good news is that applications are down by 71% compared to 2024. I see that as positive. Also, as I already said, we have provided over $1.1 billion since 2019.

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

Mr. Chair, the minister recognizes that it is important to distribute asylum seekers fairly. She is working towards that objective. However, the figures show that, as of April 1, Quebec is still home to 39% of all asylum seekers in Canada.

Will she acknowledge that, so far, this plan has failed?

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

Mr. Chair, we have been working hard to get things done. The number of asylum seekers in Quebec, and indeed across Canada, has dropped significantly in the past two years.

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

Mr. Chair, the number of asylum seekers does indeed appear to be falling, but the distribution remains as unfair as ever. Quebec receives 38.78% of all asylum seekers, even though it accounts for just 22% of the Canadian population.

Will the minister acknowledge to the House that, so far, her efforts have failed?

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

Mr. Chair, I wholeheartedly disagree. In the 12 months since I became the minister, there has been a significant reduction and we have done a lot of things for that.

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

Mr. Chair, the distribution of asylum seekers is still just as inequitable as it was when the minister got the job.

Is she telling us that Mr. Miller, her predecessor, was unable to solve the problem—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

Members may not name a minister or member in the House. The Standing Orders still apply.

The member may continue with his question.

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

Mr. Chair, does the minister acknowledge that efforts to date have not borne fruit, that the distribution is still inequitable and that her predecessor failed to meet expectations?

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

Mr. Chair, as part of interim housing assistance program agreements with the IRCC, two provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, support the voluntary relocation of asylum claimants—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

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

Mr. Chair, how does the minister explain that, despite her efforts and the voluntary action of some provinces, the distribution of asylum seekers is still so unfair in Canada?