Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the committee, for asking us to join you today. We are here today to update you on measures that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is taking to support Hong Kong residents, including youth, to come to Canada. As you

Canada-China Relations committee  Primarily, there is the government-assisted refugees resettlement stream. For that stream, we work with the UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to receive referrals. That stream really does focus on the most vulnerable and those at risk. As part of it, those

Canada-China Relations committee  I can start, Mr. Chair, and then my colleague may wish to add. In terms of capacity—and I believe the consul general confirmed this when he appeared—we currently have the capacity for the demand we are seeing with the existing travel restrictions. Canadian citizens and permanent

Canada-China Relations committee  In terms of the processing of applications, I'll turn it over to my colleague with regard to some of the innovations in that regard.

Canada-China Relations committee  The PRRA bar exemption, as we call it, is reflective of changed circumstances in the country of alleged persecution. It's really backward-looking to waive that 12-month period that someone would have to wait. If we're looking at November 12, 2020 and onward, then that would alrea

Canada-China Relations committee  To clarify—and my apologies if answers are sometimes puzzling—first I would say that we do have our existing resettlement programs, which really focus on the most vulnerable and those who are facing persecution. That can include persecution based on political opinion. If there is

Canada-China Relations committee  In terms of Canada's co-operation with other Five Eyes countries in particular, there is regular and in-depth consultation with them on a range of immigration matters. In terms of our Five Eyes partners, we have a group called the Migration Five. We regularly discuss different im

Canada-China Relations committee  Yes. As mentioned, we regularly engage with all of those Five Eyes partners: Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., as well as the U.K. As you know, the U.K. and Australia had announced measures in the space of migration. Certainly we were following that closely. In developing these m

Canada-China Relations committee  As noted, certainly we had conversations with allies and like-minded allies in terms of what was developing in their initiatives. We looked at other contexts around the world. Obviously, there were some consultations with stakeholders on the ground as well, and looking at what me

Canada-China Relations committee  Yes, as well as abroad.

Canada-China Relations committee  Certainly, these measures were intended to complement what we already have. As noted, we have a broad suite, an array of pathways available. These ones were very much targeted to be facilitated for the best and the brightest population and to complement our levels plan as well.

Canada-China Relations committee  I can start, Mr. Chair. My colleague, Dr. Giles, may wish to expand on this. In terms of the general framework, as the minister stated, these would definitely be matters that are handled on a case-by-case basis, and there would certainly be due process involved throughout that p

Canada-China Relations committee  In general, conviction would be clear evidence of inadmissibility that would apply in a case like this. Perhaps I'll clarify as well that IRCC does not have investigative powers.

Canada-China Relations committee  Mr. Chair, perhaps we can return to the committee with some clearer details on this. I can speak in general terms. Any criminal issue would be a matter for the police of local jurisdiction. In terms of the admissibility and the validity of that student permit, there would be bo

Canada-China Relations committee  Final details on the pathways that have been announced will be available soon. The intent would be that these pathways would be available for a number of years, and there would be a window through which those who are eligible could apply. Those final details will be released when