Lucienne Robillard

[Questions On The Order Paper, April 23rd, 1998]

(a) The introduction of the right of landing fee, ROLF, by the government in February 1995 was in response to extensive public consultations held by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, CIC, in 1994 and to the government-wide program review exercise. During the public consultations it was recognized that, if the department was to continue to provide an acceptable level of service to immigrants in view of the government-wide commitment, a greater share of the costs should be transferred from the taxpayers to the direct beneficiaries of immigration services. Further, program review made reduction of the federal debt a priority for all government departments.

The government concluded that the acquisition of permanent residence and Canadian citizenship had tangible and intangible value to the recipient. This value was derived from access to an enhanced economic and social opportunity in Canada as well as access to a wide range of programs and services available. The right of landing fee provides partial compensation for the many rights and privileges that landed immigrant status confers.

(b) The ROLF was implemented February 28, 1995. Since its inception a net revenue, revenue minus refunds, of $458.5M has been generated.

Family class immigrants 19 years of age and over represent approximately 24% of all permanent resident landings in Canada. On this basis, total ROLF revenue derived from family class immigrants is estimated to be $110.04M.

(c) Citizenship and immigration revenue, including revenue derived from the right of landing fee is located in the public accounts, details of expenditures and revenues, volume II, part I.

(d) All revenue collected by CIC is deposited to the credit of the consolidated revenue fund, CRF. The revenue generated by the ROLF does not go directly toward the department's budget. The ROLF revenue assists to generally offset the costs throughout the immigration portfolio.

The language instruction for newcomers, LINC, was funded by $102M in fiscal year 1997-98 from CIC's contribution budget.

(e) Please see response for (d) above.

(f) Under LINC, CIC funds organizations for the provision of basic language training to adult immigrants in one of Canada's official languages. In some communities, other levels of government will fund language training options also.

[Immigration, April 22nd, 1998]

As you know, Mr. Speaker, out of respect for people's privacy I am absolutely unable to supply details of an individual case in the House of Commons.

That having been said, it is very clear that, if we wish to admit someone to the country, we must comply with the relevant legislation, and security audits are a component of the file.

I can assure the opposition member that this file is being personally followed in the minister's office and that we hope to have answers for the individual in question shortly.

[Immigration, April 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, all procedures followed in this case were in accordance with our obligations and responsibilities under the law, which did not stop me from asking that, in the future, our officials show greater compassion in such exceptional cases.

[Immigration, April 21st, 1998]

As you know, Mr. Speaker, to protect the individual's privacy, I am not at leisure to give details about any case in particular.

I can however assure the members of this House that I have personally reviewed the facts of the case and that all procedures were applied in accordance with our obligations, responsibilities and the provisions of the law.

Like all Canadians, I care and am concerned about the fact that people may think that we acted less than compassionately in returning this individual to his country of origin. That is why I have asked that, in the future, officials of my department be more humane, show more compassion—

[Immigration, April 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it would be inappropriate for me to speak about the details of any case in public.

However, I can assure members of the House that decisions to issue ministerial permits, especially for criminally inadmissible persons, are taken very seriously and very cautiously. Visa officers should be convinced that the needs of these persons to come to Canada are compelling and that there is no danger to Canadian security. The ministerial permits they issue are for short periods of time and can be cancelled at any time.

[Immigration, April 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said at the convention, the Liberal Party of Canada has always been open to immigration in the past and will continue to be so.

The landing fee charged to settle new arrivals is in keeping with the financial efforts asked of all Canadians, including newcomers, in order to achieve the balanced budget we have today.

That said, we will look at what needs to be considered for the next budget among the government's priorities.

[Immigration And Refugee Board, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Immigration and Refugee Board is a quasi-judiciary tribunal which plays a vital role in determining the refugee status of those who come here claiming persecution in their country of origin.

Its competency is very clear. However, as part of the legislative review we are going to look into improving the entire refugee determination process, so that it will be more efficient and more responsive to the needs of those who come to our country.

[Chilean Refugees, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, at the present time, Chilean refugee claimants are receiving fair treatment that is in keeping with Canada's obligations. I cannot help but sympathize with the situation some of them are in at the present time.

I must, however, point out that I myself have been in contact with the Archbishop of Montreal. I have spoken with Monsignor Turcotte, and have made it very clear that we will do everything in our power to provide them with access to the various programs and recourses available under our legislation. There is, however, no question of giving them special treatment, or the right to permanent residence, outside the present legislation.

[Immigration, March 18th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am very surprised. I have just received the official opposition's report on immigration.

Their recommendations on refugees, specifically, include abolishing the refugee board and setting up another structure, resulting in legislative changes. I therefore have a hard time understanding what the Reform member is proposing today.

[Chilean Refugees, March 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first let me tell members of this House that I am personally following the case of these Chilean refugees, who took refuge in the basement of a church, in Montreal.

I met with officials of the Chilean community, and I can assure you that we will allow these people to use all available means under our existing legislation and system.

I am pleased that the Chilean community finally helped us identify these people, so that our department can do all the necessary verifications.