Paul Chiang

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, October 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I reiterate that all foreign nationals who come to Canada are required to meet our eligibility and admissibility requirements. As well, all foreign nationals applying for student permits are assessed for criminality, primarily through biometric collection. IRCC also collaborates with its partners to conduct thorough security screenings. An officer can request additional documents, such as a police certificate where needed.

The Conservatives keep referring to a 2018 policy change. There has been no policy change regarding police certificates for temporary residents. Unfortunately, the Conservative Party continues to spread misinformation. On this side of the House, we will continue to build a stronger framework to support and protect international students and Canadians alike.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, October 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, biometrics are a more reliable method of determining admissibility than any one document, such as a police certificate. They unequivocally verify an applicant's identity and therefore lead us to any information that is accessible about them. We check every applicant's biometrics against a wide range of databases, from the RCMP in Canada to U.S. immigration and international partner holdings, to identify any potential security risk. Immigration officers then carefully review each application on a case-by-case basis.

Decisions on admissibility are evidence-based and risk-informed, and they follow rules around procedural fairness. Officers may request any additional documents they deem necessary to make a recommendation on a final decision, such as police or additional intelligence reports. However, I should note that, depending on the country of origin, police certificates are not always reliable. Final decisions on admissibility are made at the border by a CBSA officer.

I am disappointed that the Conservatives have been sharing misinformation and attempting to stoke division and drive fear into the hearts of Canadians. I cannot say that I am surprised. After all, it was a Conservative Party that promised to create a barbaric cultural practices hotline that would encourage Canadians to spy on one another. It was the Conservative Party that kept families apart through limited family reunification targets, all because they did not want to let too many seniors into the country. It was the Conservative Party that accuses vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees of abusing Canada's generosity. The Conservatives are doing what they know best, misleading and dividing Canadians. I will not stand for it nor will I dignify their tactics.

As I outlined earlier, all international students are subject to a robust and comprehensive security screening prior to coming to Canada. This includes biometric screening, which then goes through our RCMP database in Canada, U.S. immigration and our international partner holdings. If necessary, an officer can request a police certificate, though I will note that, depending on the country of origin, it is not necessary.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, October 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, Canada recognizes that international students enrich Canada's society and culture. We have a process in place to welcome and support international students while also maintaining the safety of Canadians.

Everyone applying to come to Canada must meet our eligibility and admissibility requirements. As part of our risk mitigation process, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, conducts comprehensive security screenings to identify those who might pose a threat to Canadians.

Let me assure the hon. member that all foreign nationals applying for study permits are assessed for criminality. We do this by collecting their biometrics, that is, their fingerprints and photographs. Biometrics are a very reliable method of determining admissibility, more than any one document, such as a local police—

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, October 3rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement to Amend the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for the Sharing of Visas and Immigration Information”, done at Ottawa on July 19.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, September 25th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, generally speaking, all of the cases processed by IRCC are assessed individually. Decisions are made by highly trained officers who carefully and systematically assess each application against the criteria set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, or IRPA, and its regulations.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship is authorized by legislation to exempt foreign nationals, including those who may be under a deportation order, from any applicable criteria or obligations of the act where he deems it justified on humanitarian and compassionate consideration. The minister takes this authority very seriously, as well as his responsibility as minister, to ensure that he is executing his duties in a fair and objective manner. Due to privacy reasons, I will—

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, September 25th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for raising this important issue. In general, applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are made by highly trained officers who carefully and systematically assess each application against the criteria set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, or IRPA, and its regulations.

IRPA sets out the core principles and concepts that govern Canada's immigration and refugee protection program, including provisions relating to refugees, sponsorships and removals, detention reviews and admissibility hearings, and the jurisdiction and powers of tribunals. A decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly.

I would like to add that IRPA authorizes designated officers to issue temporary resident permits, or TRPs, to inadmissible foreign nationals when it is justified in certain circumstances. A TRP allows the holder either to enter Canada or to remain in Canada during the validity period of the TRP. A TRP provides the foreign national temporary resident status in Canada. If the TRP is valid for at least six months, the foreign national may apply for a work or study permit. Upon cancellation or expiration of the TRP, the foreign national must leave Canada.

TRPs allow officers to balance the objectives of the IRPA to meet Canada's social, humanitarian and economic commitments while maintaining the health and security of Canadians. Clear records of decisions allow for the monitoring and research necessary for the preparation of the annual report to Parliament. The number of TRPs issued is included in the annual report, and they are categorized according to the grounds of inadmissibility.

I would like to point out that, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a foreign national who, in the opinion of an officer, is inadmissible or does not meet the requirement of this act becomes a temporary resident if an officer is of the opinion that it is justified in the circumstances and issues a temporary resident permit, which may be cancelled at any time.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship is authorized by legislation to exempt foreign nationals, including those who may be under a deportation order, from any applicable criteria or obligation of the act, where he deems it is justified on humanitarian and compassionate considerations. The minister takes this authority very seriously, as well as his responsibility as minister to ensure that he is executing his duties in a fair and objective manner.

Due to privacy reasons, I will not speak on any individual cases. However, I assure members that he assesses each case brought to his attention to ensure that he exercises his authority in the best interest of Canada, Canadians and the people who use our immigration system. I hope this is helpful.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, September 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I stand with the member opposite to help asylum seekers and put a roof over their heads. I understand the issue in Quebec. We are there for Quebeckers and we are going to help them fix this problem.

[Mid-Autumn Festival, September 18th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, a beautiful, diverse riding with people of East and Southeast Asian backgrounds, I rise today to extend my warmest wishes to all on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, that was celebrated yesterday. For the Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese communities, this festival symbolizes family, gratitude and hope. Across our country and the world, families will gather to share traditional moon-cakes and light lanterns for prosperity and good fortune.

Every culture across the world has an iteration of a harvest festival, whether it be Thanksgiving, Vaisakhi, the Mid-Autumn Festival or Chushu, among many others. These festivals demonstrate our unity and shared human desire to celebrate abundance that the harvest brings.

I wish everyone celebrating in Markham—Unionville and beyond a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.

[Citizenship Act, September 17th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, we as a government want to pass the proposed legislation so we can bring all Canadians here, all the lost Canadians, so we can make them Canadian citizens. I am so happy to work with the members from the Bloc and from the NDP, and we are hoping to make Bill C-71 legislation.

[Citizenship Act, September 17th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I am very happy to stand here to say that we, as the government, would love to work with the Bloc and the NDP to pass the legislation. I understand that the Conservatives are filibustering everything and trying to change everything around. I am very committed to getting Bill C-71 passed because it affects constituents in my riding. They are also lost Canadians, and they are waiting for the bill to pass so that we can make everyone a Canadian.