Lucienne Robillard

[Zaire, April 9th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Official Opposition must have missed the news. Deportations to Zaire have been suspended.

[Immigration, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I think the Reform Party member has problems understanding Canadians' mobility rights, which extend across the country. It is very clear that, when investors come to our country, they may choose to go to another Canadian province, like any Canadian.

We are proud of this right, which forms part of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There is no question of changing this basic principle.

[Hong Kong, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, visa free access for Hong Kong people is very good news for Canada and for Hong Kong.

More than 100,000 Canadian people live in Hong Kong. More than 500,000 Canadians living in Canada have come from Hong Kong. Every year Canada has more than 200,000 visitors from Hong Kong. They come here for business, to visit family or for tourism.

After the assurances we received from the Hong Kong authorities and the Chinese government, it was very important that we were able to maintain the visa free access. That is very good news for everyone.

[Immigration, March 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleague to read the Constitution of Canada wherein it is stated very clearly that immigration is a shared responsibility between the Canadian government and the provinces.

When provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba and others want to take on the responsibility of immigration we are very pleased. We all realize the provinces also have a role to play in integrating immigrants into our country.

[Immigration, March 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that, under the 1991 Canada-Quebec agreement on immigration, Quebec has power over the selection and settlement of immigrants.

What does this mean in reality? When a person wants to immigrate to our country, and wants to settle in the province of Quebec, Quebec's and Canada's offices abroad work together, so that the person arrives at our borders with a Quebec selection certificate in hand, as well as a permit to settle in Canada.

Unfortunately, in the case in question, the person had neglected to bring the Quebec selection certificate. So the problem is only a technical one. But I can assure the hon. members of this House that

the Canada-Quebec accord is working very well at the present time with respect to immigration.

[Immigration, March 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I was also amazed by that comment of the Reform Party critic. I take note that in the future the Reform Party will support our refugee program.

Canada has a long history of responding generously to the different people in the world who are in crisis. Never in the past have we imposed quotas on immigration. We do not intend to do so in the future.

On the contrary, with the new resettlement from abroad class, we will extend our ability to answer the needs of people abroad. It will help us to be more generous than we have been in the past. Let us be proud of that new settlement class.

[Citizenship Act, February 20th, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-84, an act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Zairian Refugees, February 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat: there is no question whatsoever of returning a person whose life would be at risk if he or she were returned to certain parts of Zaire.

However, yes, people can return in complete safety to certain regions of Zaire, and this is why we do an individual assessment. This is exactly the same policy as in some other countries, and I can assure you that we are keeping close tabs on the situation. If ever we have to suspend deportations, we shall do so. We will never put anyone's life in danger.

[Zairian Refugees, February 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the advisory committee on country conditions for removals has examined the situation in Zaire most particularly. A number of people in Canada and elsewhere have provided it with input.

We looked a bit at what was being done internationally, and found that a number of countries continue to return people to Zaire. It is very clear that we will not return people to certain regions of Zaire, the east in particular. This is not the case for other regions of the country, where it is totally possible.

I will conclude, if I may, by stating that no one has been returned to Zaire without a risk assessment being done to ensure that he or she is returning to one of the regions of Zaire in complete safety.

[Immigration, February 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I must admit to you that I am having trouble following the logic of the hon. member for Bourassa, since we now have a selection committee independent of the minister to evaluate the suitability of prospective board appointees. If the hon. member for Bourassa has in mind any cases of people who are not competent for their position, I trust that he will have the courage to say so here in the House of Commons, officially, before everyone.

That having been said, it is clear that we are working to ensure that all those applying for refugee status get a reply within a reasonable length of time. As you are well aware, however, we have a quasijudiciary process in Canada; we plan to maintain it and we intend to follow the rules.