Ahmed Hussen

[Employment, April 10th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Brampton South for being a strong voice for newcomers.

As part of budget 2017, our government is investing $27.5 million over the next five years, and $5.5 million ongoing after that, to make sure that we have a targeted employment strategy for newcomers. This includes pilot programs to further assist newcomers as they access the Canadian labour market. It includes loans to cover the high cost of accessing licensing and credential recognition through that—

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, April 10th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we value all of the ways in which newcomers enrich our society.

We are committed to making sure, with Bill C-6, that we further remove obstacles that were put in place by the previous government for permanent residents to obtain their citizenship. We are moving forward to make sure that we enhance the ability of permanent residents to access citizenship.

We are also aware, under Bill C-6, of measures to further strengthen the integrity of the citizenship program. We want to maintain the value of Canadian citizenship and prevent fraud and misrepresentation.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, March 20th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite and the party opposite are against a threefold increase in legitimate Mexican travellers to Canada, then they are welcome to express that sentiment.

We are working very hard to strengthen and continue to expand on the strong bilateral relationship with Mexico, which was damaged considerably by the party opposite when it was in government. We have mechanisms in place and we are working very closely with Mexican officials to address any risks related to the visa lift. We have already witnessed lasting economic benefits from the visa lift.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, March 20th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, it is very rich for that member, that government, and that previous party to bring up the Mexico visa lift. They considerably damaged our relationship with Mexico, which we are responsibly rebuilding and strengthening. The Mexican visa lift will lead to lasting economic benefits for Canada, with more tourists and more legitimate travellers. We have already seen that impact, with triple the number of legitimate travellers into Canada. This will continue to create economic benefits for our country. We will work closely with Mexican officials to address any risks to this issue, and we will ensure its success.

[Public Safety, March 9th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.

[Public Safety, March 9th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance.

Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, March 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the international community has consistently praised Canada for its compassionate, responsible, and generous refugee program. We will take no lessons from the previous government on issues around refugees and immigrants.

In fact, by lifting the Mexican visa requirement, we have gone a long way to rebuild and strengthen our bilateral relationship with Mexico that was damaged considerably by the previous government.

We addressed those associated with the Mexican visa lift. We worked closely with Mexican officials. Tourism has gone up and other economic benefits have gone up. We will continue to work to make sure the visa lift is a success.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, March 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, this year we are providing $900 million in settlement and resettlement funding to support refugee integration and settlement services, $664 million of that is for settlement services, and $76 million more outside of Quebec than in previous years.

We are committed to supporting refugees as they arrive in Canada, and making sure we provide them with language programs, job supports, and other integration programming as we move forward.

We take that commitment seriously, and we have the track record to prove that.

[Official Languages, March 7th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am very much committed to the Official Languages Act, and my department is working very closely to make sure that the availability and costs between the two official language tests are equal. My department is working very closely with the businesses and organizations that determine and offer these tests to potential applicants to immigration services. We are working very closely with them to address this issue.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, March 6th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been recognized throughout the world for having a compassionate refugee system. We maintain that tradition.

The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada on the orderly handling of asylum claims in both countries. The head of the UNHCR in Canada is on record as stating that the domestic asylum system in the United States is intact, and therefore it would be irresponsible to withdraw from the safe third country agreement.

If the New Democratic Party wants to get into an argument with the UNHCR, which has expertise on this issue, it is more than welcome to do so.