Canada-China Relations committee  This is something that is a very significant focus and priority for IRCC—undergoing a digital transformation of our systems. It is something that is capturing a lot of our attention and our energy right now as we're certainly looking for ways to speed up our digital transformation.

Canada-China Relations committee  A number of systems are put in place in multiple layers to ensure that the Privacy Act is respected, as well as to ensure that we're able to protect against both insider and outsider threats to the system. There is close co-operation that happens with partners across government on this.

Canada-China Relations committee  Thank you very much for the questions. First, in terms of the screening before arriving in Canada, there is quite a robust security screening procedure in place that is conducted by our public safety partners, and that includes, as you would imagine, ensuring that...and looking for evidence of criminality and of human rights abuses in other countries that these individuals might have committed.

Canada-China Relations committee  When the admissibility screening is done, decisions are made based on evidence of past behaviour. Predicting future behaviour is obviously a little more difficult.

Canada-China Relations committee  The security vetting process for admissibility is done by our public safety partners in consultation with us.

Canada-China Relations committee  Canadian embassies and consulates are not able to accept refugee claims. If refugees have fled their home jurisdictions and do not have a durable solution in another country, they can be referred to us by the UN for resettlement under our government-assisted refugees program. They can also receive private sponsorship to come to Canada through the private refugees sponsorship stream.

Canada-China Relations committee  There are other mechanisms for referral, as well as those primarily through the UNHCR.

Canada-China Relations committee  There are some specific cases where we can work with other agencies to identify that they are indeed refugees who require urgent protection.

Canada-China Relations committee  If indeed there is conviction for criminality, at that point there is an assessment done in terms of whether the visas should be revoked. There is also the due process, as my colleague indicated, prior to removal taking place, ensuring as well that if an individual is removed from the country they won't come into harm's way once they are returned to their home country.

Canada-China Relations committee  Global Affairs Canada is Canada's lead on providing protection to Canadian citizens and permanent residents abroad, but of course, we work very closely with them to provide support services. The consul general in Hong Kong remains ready, and has been providing ongoing passport and citizenship services to our clients.

Canada-China Relations committee  Throughout the last year, Canada's mission has completed a robust outreach campaign, encouraging Canadian citizens studying, working and living in Hong Kong to ensure they have the correct and valid travel documents. Yes, there's been quite significant outreach to Canadians.

Canada-China Relations committee  That's correct.

Canada-China Relations committee  Global Affairs Canada has a lead on providing the protection. I'm not sure about the content of non-immigration-related issues.

Canada-China Relations committee  Thank you very much for the question. I'll try to capture most of those. In terms of the number of refugee claims that were made in 2019 to 2020, the number is zero. In terms of asylum claims for 2020, we had approximately 30 claims in the system until September 30. While people are waiting for their claims to be processed, they are able to work in Canada, and they also receive other supports.

Canada-China Relations committee  Grosso modo, it does seem like the process, correct.