Lucienne Robillard

[Kosovo, April 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, immediately after we received the call from the UN high commissioner for refugees asking us to provide a safe shelter for the Kosovars, the Prime Minister made a commitment to take in 5,000 Kosovars here in Canada, as we all know.

The border situation has stabilized somewhat, and the high commissioner has halted all requests to countries to take people in temporarily. We have now been asked primarily to give consideration to family reunification and to respond to people with very special needs, which we are prepared to do.

As to financial aid, we will clearly continue to help Albania and Macedonia.

[Immigration, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have already answered that question this week. The case is under review. I am awaiting additional information, and hope to be able to reach a decision a little later on today.

[Immigration, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the file is now being reviewed.

[Immigration, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve knows full well that the Privacy Act prevents me from commenting publicly on this file.

That having been said, it is very clear that such situations raise questions about the existing system and illustrate the need for a review of the system to make it much more effective. This is something the government is planning for this year. In the meantime, the situation of concern to the member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve will be reviewed.

[Immigration, March 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we are working in very close co-operation with local and regional police forces, including the RCMP, precisely in order to eradicate certain problems in the Vancouver area.

This productive relationship means that we are able to take very concrete action against individuals who abuse our system and who have committed crimes in Canada, and deport them.

It is therefore very clear that we are continuing to work with the RCMP to improve the existing system.

[Immigration, March 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, those working hard as an MP and a minister can at times become tired. We might wonder about those who do not.

We are open to all suggestions and to reviewing the Quebec-Canada agreement. If the Bloc member is suggesting the agreement be reopened, I would be pleased to look at it, but with the Government of Quebec only.

[Immigration, March 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to inform the members of this House that I met all of my provincial counterparts responsible for immigration matters to get their reaction to the new directions the government is taking regarding legislation on immigration and refugee protection.

That said, I also met my counterpart from Quebec, who shared his opinions on the government's policies. Let me say that I was delighted to see that the Canada-Quebec agreement currently in force was very well received. Naturally, we already knew, but it has been praised by the new minister of immigration.

[Immigration, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, members are surely aware that we have here in Canada an immigration and refugee protection system, which is one of the most generous in the world. It is so recognized internationally.

I repeat. The Immigration Act provides the mechanisms needed to deal with these situations.

[Immigration, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, while I cannot comment on a specific case before this House, let me say that the Immigration Act contains all the provisions necessary to accede to certain applications for humanitarian or compassionate reasons.

When these people live in Quebec, these applications are considered in conjunction with the Government of Quebec. I can therefore provide assurance that all the mechanisms are in place to process this sort of application.

[Immigration, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, relations between Canada and France are excellent, as evidenced by the fact that we are even looking to increase the number of exchanges of trainees, students and researchers between the two countries.

That said, it is clear that anyone who wants to enter Canada must obey the rules and prove that they have the required authorizations to enter the country. In this regard, our immigration officers at Dorval are doing exactly the job they should be doing.