Joe Volpe

[Citizenship and Immigration, October 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, that is argy-bargy nonsense, I guess.

The member ignores the fact that we have already done something for parents and grandparents. We increased the amount that we would land over the course of this year and next from 6,000 to 18,000 in each of those two years. We have introduced a multiple entry visa in order to accommodate those who are on a waiting list and would be reunited with their families. We recognize the importance of family reunification with those measures, including in Canada spousal sponsorship developments. All of those issues and more indicate vibrant—

[Citizenship and Immigration, October 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, opposition members are applauding the fact that they are against all the numerous successes that we can list. For example, an average of 230,000 people per annum are settled and integrated successfully. They are the driving force of growth in all of Canada's major cities and provinces. We have moved very forcefully in the direction of credentialing and recognition. The member will recognize that we put $68 million—

[Citizenship and Immigration, October 3rd, 2005]

What a sorry position to be in, Mr. Speaker, when the opposition implies that—

[Immigration, September 30th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. In April of this year we took several measures. Among them, the most immediate one, was to ensure that parents and grandparents could be reunited with their families by applying for and receiving a multiple entry visa that would have carriage for five years, provided that they meet the condition that all tourists who are going to be here for six months or more must have and that is a medical and to have medical insurance. That was the very first of several measures.

[Citizenship and Immigration, September 29th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in recognizing the member's interest in immigration and its powerful dynamics with respect to the growth of the country. In fact, many people say that immigration is wealth and we should have more of it. The fact that we spend a substantial amount of money on settlement and integration programs speaks to the way that we keep people in the country and make them into solid Canadians who build the country of the future.

I am happy to say that both the Premier of Ontario and the Prime Minister have been engaged in discussions on settlement and integration issues, discussions that will go on with other provinces.

[Criminal Code, September 28th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It would appear that a member was offended that just after question period I had a telephone in my hand and that I was on the phone. I took an emergency call. I regret doing that. It was not my intention to slight the House or any members therein. I will refrain from doing that in the future.

[Citizenship and Immigration, September 27th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, in my responsibilities I do have opportunity to meet with stakeholders and interested parties. As the member will know, in the course of this next month I will present to Parliament a yearly immigration plan. This has given me an opportunity to meet with many people.

Yes, I do go to various places during the course of the day. As I said, one of the functions of the transparency provisions is so that people can see what ministers do. We have done that and we have done it within the Treasury Board guidelines.

[Citizenship and Immigration, September 27th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as the House well knows of course, with my additional responsibilities as regional minister, I have occasion to speak with many stakeholders. I have had a lot of meetings. I welcome the fact that I have this kind of a responsibility. All I can tell the member, and everyone in the House, that everything met Treasury Board guidelines.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 28th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to make a connection between the former unfortunate situation and this one. I will not comment on a specific case except to say what I have done already.

I have instructed my department to examine the procedures that are in place in such similar situations so as to avoid any perceptions like the ones that have been raised.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 28th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I still want to act. I am not referring to any case in particular, but each individual who seeks Canadian protection has an opportunity, after having been heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board, to appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal and, then, to another mechanism on humanitarian or compassionate grounds.

There is always a whole procedure to follow.