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 been clear that Canadians always deserve and should be getting the jobs first. There are strict rules, and they have been tightened considerably for temporary foreign workers in a very targeted way that remains the last resort for employers to find workers. There are some businesses and communities that are still needing them.

My job is to manage migration and to invest in our youth and also in—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Through you, Mr. Chair, what is amazing is the minister's lack of remorse for the effect of her decisions.

Doug Parton of Ironworkers Local 97 said that the TFW model has become a “business model” to suppress wages. Is the minister saying that Mr. Parton, the business manager for Ironworkers Local 97, is wrong?

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

Mr. Chair, we work with the provinces and territories to focus on addressing the labour market gaps. Quite frankly, I have received letters from Conservative members of Parliament as well, advocating for the temporary foreign worker program.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Minister, your government now admits that there are at least 500,000 undocumented—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Chair, I rise on a point of order, the member is doing it again. He is referring to her by saying, “minister” and talking directly to the minister.

He has to speak through the Chair, does he not? Perhaps he is a new member and you could explain the rules to him.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

I thank the chief government whip.

That time the member actually said, “Through you, Mr. Chair”, and he continued on. It is okay if members frame it in that fashion.

However, this is a great reminder for members not to use “you” when referring to the Chair. I am not asking or commenting on anything. I would appreciate it if members would remember the rule to not speak directly to the minister but through the Chair.

I invite the member for Dufferin—Caledon to start from the beginning so he can complete his question.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Through you, Mr. Chair, I say that the government now admits that there are at least 500,000 undocumented people in Canada. Can the minister guarantee that none of these undocumented people are participating in illegal labour on construction sites, with federal tax dollars being used for those construction projects?

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

Mr. Chair, we continue to prioritize trades workers, as I said, such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists. I have personally met with union leaders right here in the House of Commons building, and also in provinces that I have actually visited. We continue to work with them, and we will ensure that our—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member has the floor.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chair, the question was about undocumented workers on federal construction sites, where they are getting federal tax dollars. Perhaps the minister misunderstood the question, which is why I am repeating it.

In fact just recently, four undocumented workers were identified by CBSA at the Calgary event centre project. Is the minister aware of these cases, yes or no, and what is she doing to prevent this in the future?

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

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated, we have a plan. The plan is working. There has been a considerable reduction in the number of temporary workers. We have tightened integrity measures. We will continue to look at those. There are members of Parliament from the opposition who are advocating—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chair, once again, there is not even an attempt to answer the question. It is insulting to the people whom we represent when we ask these questions and the minister does not try to answer.

Alberta labour organizations uncovered allegations of workers being paid cash, using forged safety certifications, operating without WCB coverage and being threatened with deportation if they spoke out. This was on a project that received federal dollars. Can the minister cite one investigation into this going on and one action that her department has taken to crack down on these types of occurrences?

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

Mr. Chair, there is worker compliance protection in Canada. Temporary foreign workers have the same employment standards, but there are also rules they have to follow. Businesses also must adhere to strict conditions. These are managed not just by IRCC but also by the employment and workforce department. We work across government to ensure that we manage our immigration system accordingly, appropriately, responsibly and efficiently.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chair, I asked whether there had been a specific investigation to deal with the specific facts I was citing. The minister is unable to come up with one, so I assume that would mean no.

I would assume that the temporary foreign worker program would not be used to bring in HVAC technicians if there were HVAC technicians unemployed in that area. Am I correct in that assumption?

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

Mr. Chair, employers bringing in people under the temporary foreign worker program have strict requirements they have to comply with. They have to show that they have taken considerable measures to find Canadian workers. The ministry of employment and workforce—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member may ask a final question.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chair, UA local 787 organized an employer in the GTA. When it organized that employer, it discovered that there were over a dozen HVAC TFWs working for that company. At the same time, there were a similar number of—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. minister.

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

Mr. Chair, we have implemented strict requirements for all employers, which they have to adhere to. The temporary foreign worker program is meant to be exactly that: temporary. However, it is also to ensure that we fill those labour gaps that Canadians cannot fill.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak about Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's 2026-27 main estimates as a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

Canadians have asked us to bring balance to the immigration system while upholding the values of compassion and respect. To that effect, our committee has examined several important themes this parliamentary session. We have heard from government officials on the concrete progress they have made to bring balance and transparency to our immigration system and from frontline workers across our beautiful country about the unique regional challenges they are facing. We have heard from academics about ways to improve our immigration system and from deeply vulnerable communities that have come to Canada seeking safety and protection.

We are living through a period of significant global change and, dare I say, turmoil. Presently, 120 million people are displaced from their homes because of climate change, conflict and persecution. Canada has a strong and proud humanitarian tradition. This reflects our values and our international obligations. We believe that everyone in need of protection deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. They deserve a chance to rebuild their lives. They deserve a chance to work, to study and to contribute to the Canadian family while here.

In line with our latest humanitarian commitments regarding protected persons, we have announced a new initiative aimed at facilitating the transition to permanent residence. This initiative affects approximately 115,000 protected persons in Canada. These are particularly vulnerable individuals who have been recognized as needing protection. They have met very strict legal criteria. They cannot return to their countries of origin. If they were to return, it would mean persecution and a potential threat to their lives.

These people are already contributing to communities across Canada. They are becoming neighbours, workers, students, volunteers, business leaders and members of the community—our community. They are helping to build the country we share.

This initiative involving protected persons is also a matter of compassion. Many constituents in my riding, Pierrefonds—Dollard, have told me of the pain caused by family separation and the difficulty of reuniting with their loved ones. This measure will help to remedy these difficult situations. It is a good example of the necessary balance between compassion and the system's capacity. We are restoring order to the system while continuing to protect those who need it most.

We have seen in the last years how quickly humanitarian situations can evolve or devolve. We have been responding to a range of international crises and displacement situations; however, behind every crisis are countless human stories. Take the case of Sudan. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest crisis in the world, with an estimated 13.6 million people uprooted by fighting and extreme violence.

Community advocates have testified at the immigration committee about the Sudan family reunification program. Sudanese Canadians have sought to bring their family members to safety. They have also worked closely with IRCC and the international crisis response team to help restart biometric collection in Sudan, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration, the IOM. This is an example of what collaboration between government and advocates can achieve.

Take the crisis in Gaza. It continues to be a nightmare, with staggering humanitarian needs. Palestinian Canadians who have loved ones in Gaza continue to endure heartache while trying to bring their family members to safety. Those who have found safety in Canada are deeply grateful. They have started to rebuild their lives but are still worrying about loved ones they have left behind.

Canada's humanitarian tradition is built on partnerships. We do not go at it alone; we rely on international partners, such as UNHCR and others, to help identify people in need of protection. One such example is the partnership in the special immigration program of motion M-62. It was created to resettle vulnerable Uyghur refugees here in Canada. The Uyghur people are facing mass arbitrary detention, forced separation of children from their parents, forced sterilization and forced labour. At the immigration committee, we have heard from officials about the progress made through the resettlement program. Advocates have also testified about the value of the program and the need for it to continue at an increased scale.

I have met with vulnerable people who are Uyghur, Palestinian, Rohingya or Ukrainian, and many others, people who have been welcomed here to Canada with open hearts and compassion. They are deeply grateful to all Canadians for providing them with refuge and safety. Their stories are human stories that remind us about our best selves, of our duty to protect people in need and of what it means to be Canadian and to be a humanitarian.

In our immigration system, we work in partnership with the provinces and territories, municipalities and local communities. This collaboration is essential to welcoming newcomers. We rely on settlement organizations that provide essential integration services, including language training, employment assistance and housing supports.

We also rely on civil society organizations and volunteers. They help make Canada's humanitarian tradition a daily reality for everyone. This collective effort is one of our strengths as Canadians.

It is also important to remember the positive contributions made by newcomers to our communities. Immigrants contribute to our economy and help address labour shortages. They set up businesses. They build homes. They care for our sick and elderly. They also enrich our communities through their diverse backgrounds.

Every generation of Canadians has been shaped by people from other places. These are people who arrived here with little to their names, people who worked hard to build a better life for their families. This story continues today. It continues in Pierrefonds—Dollard and across the country. Our government is committed to continuing to build an immigration system that is fair, sustainable and true to Canadian values.

I thank the minister for being here today; for responding to the questions of all members, from both the governing party and the opposition parties, with respect to our immigration system; and for taking the time to provide thorough and accurate answers. With that, I will ask my own question.

Can the Minister of Immigration share with us how these main estimates will continue to support our refugee and humanitarian immigration system while making sure that it reflects our values as Canadians, respects our international obligations and inspires confidence among Canadians for years to come?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Chair, I actually have a lot to say to respond to this particular member, the member for Pierrefonds—Dollard, because he has been a tremendous advocate and has worked very hard for the people in his community but also for vulnerable communities throughout. He has been a real champion on humanitarian issues.

What really struck me is that he brought his youth council into his office when they visited Ottawa, and they stopped in at my office. They were incredibly thoughtful and engaged young people. Through them, I got to see the real work this member is doing in his community, as well as what I have seen since being here, since 2021.

Canada has long been recognized as a country that offers protection to people fleeing conflict, persecution and instability. This tradition remains an important part of who we are. Canadians also expect humanitarian commitments to be delivered through a system that is fair, sustainable and responsibly managed. That is exactly what the 2026-27 main estimates will help to do.

I said earlier, and the fact is, that around the world, displacement is increasing. Humanitarian crises are becoming more frequent and more complex, and immigration systems globally are under growing pressure. Canada cannot respond to every crisis in the same way, but we can ensure that our response is principled, coordinated and aligned with our capacity to support people properly once they arrive. That means balancing compassion with responsible planning.

The main estimates support the people, partnerships and operational tools needed to maintain that balance. They include support for protected persons already in Canada who are transitioning to permanent residence. These individuals have already been recognized as needing Canada's protection. The estimates also reflect an important principle: Humanitarian protection is not only about offering safety in a moment of crisis; it is about helping people build their lives for the long term. That requires more than immigration pathways alone. It requires coordination, as I said earlier, with provinces and territories, municipalities, settlement organizations and community partners to help newcomers integrate successfully.

It requires a lot of work. That is why our government continues to focus on building a controlled and sustainable system, a system that allows Canada to continue to offer protection over time while maintaining public confidence. Recent years have shown how quickly global crises can emerge and evolve. Canada has responded to a number of international displacement situations, each requiring a different set of tools and different operational responses. Those experiences have reinforced the importance of preparation and coordination.

That is why IRCC has strengthened its crisis response framework, which helps guide how the department assesses emerging international crises and determines whether immigration measures may be part of Canada's response. It also helps ensure that decisions are thoughtful, consistent and sustainable. It considers humanitarian need alongside operational capacity, settlement supports, available space within the immigration levels plan and the ability of communities to support newcomers successfully. That matters because humanitarian responses cannot rely on improvising alone. They must be credible, they must be coordinated, and they must be built to endure.

Canada's humanitarian tradition has always depended on partnerships. We rely on these groups, as I said earlier, and together with those partnerships, it allows Canada to remain a country that offers safety and stability to vulnerable people while maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system itself. The 2026-27 main estimates support that work. They support a refugee and humanitarian system that reflects Canadian values while recognizing the importance of responsible management, sustainability and long-term success.

Canada will always continue to protect people in need. We will continue building an immigration system capable of upholding those commitments fairly, responsibly and sustainably into the future.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Chair, I just want to thank the minister again for taking the time to be here and responding to the questions in a very fulsome manner.

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

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague again.

I also thank all members who are spending their time here this evening.

Just looking at my watch, I see it is maybe 10 o'clock Nova Scotia time, so I thank anybody who is watching this for being up—