Citizenship and Immigration

The committee discussed how Canada can attract and keep skilled workers from other countries to help its economy grow. They heard from business leaders and a city official about the challenges Canada faces in getting and keeping talented people. David Pierce from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce explained that Canada is losing skilled workers, often called a "brain drain," to countries like the U.S. because of better pay and opportunities. He stressed that immigration policy is really economic policy and needs to match Canada's workforce needs. He also said that recent cuts to temporary foreign worker programs are hurting businesses, especially in smaller towns, and could lead to closures. Anne Patterson from the Information and Communications Technology Council added that many skilled immigrants aren't working in jobs that fully use their talents. She suggested that Canada should look at future job needs when choosing immigrants and make it easier to recognize their skills and experience. Paul Aldunate from the City of Brampton highlighted that his city, which has many immigrants, is at risk of losing a significant portion of its skilled workforce due to expiring work permits. He said that even with some unemployment, businesses can't find the specific skills they need. He recommended that provinces have more say in immigration choices and that there should be easier ways for highly specialized international experts to come to Canada for short periods. He also called for a better program to attract immigrant entrepreneurs. Nathan Bergstrand from a plumbers and pipefitters union explained that his union does not use temporary foreign workers because they cannot enroll them in training programs. He noted that while his local union currently has many members working, the future job outlook is uncertain, especially in the steel industry. The committee did not make any decisions but asked the witnesses to provide more specific ideas on how to better connect immigration with Canada's economic needs and regional differences.

The committee met to discuss how Canada can attract skilled workers and international students to help the economy grow. Officials from the immigration department and representatives from a union, an immigrant support group, and a university association shared their views. During the first hour, Alexis Graham and Carol McQueen from the immigration department talked about Canada's plan to bring in highly skilled people for jobs in health care, technology, and artificial intelligence. They explained new ways to fast-track doctors and researchers, and efforts to attract skilled workers from the United States. Ms. Graham also noted that fewer international students are arriving overall. Committee members asked why graduate students are exempt from limits on student permits, worrying it might reduce job chances for young Canadians. Ms. Graham said the goal is to attract top talent for the long term and that many student spots are not being filled. In the second hour, Andrew Tarr from a union explained that many workers with special permits cannot get proper training or legal jobs, which sometimes leads to them working for cash and avoiding taxes. Manel Rekik from an immigrant support group highlighted that many skilled newcomers struggle to get their foreign education recognized and find good jobs. She pointed out that asylum seekers, who often have valuable skills, do not receive federal help to find work, which leaves them in difficult situations. James Hammond from U15 Canada, representing top research universities, argued that bringing in international graduate students is vital for Canada's research and new ideas. He supported the exemption for graduate students and faster permit processing, saying it helps both Canadian and international talent. No new proposed laws were passed. However, the immigration department promised to give the committee more details within four weeks. This includes how much is being spent on advertising to attract talent, how security checks are done quickly for graduate students, and information about past talks with provinces about student limits. The committee plans to continue studying how to attract global talent and will discuss how to study asylum seekers in the future.

The committee discussed how Canada attracts skilled workers and entrepreneurs, but also heard concerns about Canadian youth unemployment and the misuse of temporary foreign worker programs. Terry Parker from the Building Trades of Alberta highlighted high unemployment among skilled trades workers in Alberta, despite claims of labour shortages. He spoke about widespread abuse of the temporary foreign worker program, with undocumented workers leading to lower wages, safety risks, and Canadian workers losing jobs. He called for more government checks and union involvement in assessing labour needs. Ethan Miranda, a recent software engineering graduate, shared his struggle to find an entry-level job, noting that many young Canadians are facing similar challenges. He worried that bringing in more foreign senior tech workers could make it even harder for new Canadian graduates to get started. Daniel Perry and Laurent Carbonneau from the Council of Canadian Innovators emphasized that skilled immigration is crucial for Canada's fast-growing technology companies to compete globally. They praised the Global Talent Stream for helping these companies find specialized talent quickly, but also suggested changes to the Start-up Visa program to make it faster and more effective. They also highlighted the need for tax policies to keep Canadian talent from moving to the U.S. Michael Casasola and Sandra Elgersma from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, along with Steve Mason from the World University Service of Canada, discussed the success of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), which helps skilled refugees come to Canada as permanent residents to fill job shortages. Witnesses offered several recommendations. These included making the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot a permanent program with faster processing times, strengthening oversight and audits of the temporary foreign worker program, reinstating union consultation in labour market assessments, and creating incentives for Canadian companies to hire and train young Canadian graduates. There was also a call for better coordination between federal and provincial governments and regulators to improve credential recognition for newcomers.

The committee met to continue its study on how asylum seekers are spread across Canada, focusing on the challenges this creates for provinces and cities. Witnesses and government officials discussed the impacts on public services, the need for better support systems, and the difficulties in moving asylum seekers to different regions. Landon Johnston, a city councillor from Calgary, explained that his city's public services, like low-income programs and schools, are already under great strain from population growth. He argued that Calgary taxpayers are bearing a significant financial burden and that his city should not be asked to take on more asylum seekers if other provinces, like Quebec, are not adequately investing in their own services. Adam Bercovitch Sadinsky, from the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, highlighted the uneven access to legal help for asylum seekers across Canada. He stressed that without proper legal aid, the system becomes less efficient, leading to more appeals and higher costs in the long run. Gauri Sreenivasan, from the Canadian Council for Refugees, proposed a national plan for asylum seekers that includes reception centers, long-term funding for housing, access to settlement services, and better legal aid. She believes that improving these services would naturally lead to a more balanced distribution of asylum seekers. Government officials Catherine Scott and Jason Hollmann from the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, explained that the number of asylum claims has decreased recently. They detailed the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) and voluntary agreements with New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador to relocate a small number of asylum seekers. They emphasized that any relocation must be voluntary due to legal considerations related to people's rights. Committee members from various parties raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers, the cost of health care benefits for asylum seekers, and the overall fairness and efficiency of the system. No formal decisions were made during this meeting. However, the committee is continuing its study and plans to make recommendations. Ms. Sreenivasan was invited to submit written suggestions for changes to regulations related to a proposed law. The Vice-Chair also requested a legal opinion from the Department of Justice regarding the rights of asylum seekers and the possibility of moving them without their consent.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Citizenship and Immigration continued its study on how asylum seekers are spread out across Canada, hearing from experts, city officials, and aid groups about the challenges and possible solutions. The main discussion revolved around whether moving asylum seekers to different provinces is a good idea, or if the focus should be on fixing the overall system for handling asylum claims. During the first part of the meeting, Professor Christina Clark-Kazak from the University of Ottawa argued that any plan to move asylum seekers must respect their human rights and be based on facts. She stressed the need for better teamwork between different levels of government and aid organizations, pointing out that asylum seekers contribute to the economy. However, Randy Donauer, a city councillor from Saskatoon, urged caution, explaining that his city is already struggling with a severe housing crisis and cannot handle a large number of new arrivals. He believes the government should speed up the processing of asylum claims instead of simply moving people around. Kailee Brennan from Matthew House Ottawa agreed that the system has problems, but she believes it's a lack of coordination, not a lack of space, and suggested investing in existing aid groups to create a national system that works better than costly hotels. In the second part of the meeting, Dr. Lisa Kaida from McMaster University explained the differences between refugees who are settled by the government and those sponsored privately, noting that privately sponsored refugees often do better economically. Karen Kobussen from the Saskatoon West Business Association echoed the concerns about Saskatoon's capacity, stating that businesses are also affected by the housing shortage and strain on services. She emphasized that an orderly immigration system is very different from dealing with a large backlog of asylum claims. Alina Murad from The Refugee Centre highlighted that asylum seekers tend to stay in areas where they can find jobs and support, and she proposed a program to match their skills with job openings in different regions, while also calling for more government funding for organizations that help asylum seekers. Overall, committee members heard that while there are labor shortages in some areas, many cities, like Saskatoon, are already overwhelmed with housing and social service demands. There was a general agreement on the need for better coordination among federal, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as aid organizations, to ensure that asylum seekers receive proper support and can successfully integrate into communities. No immediate decisions were made, as the committee is still gathering information to inform future recommendations.

The Citizenship and Immigration committee began its study on how asylum seekers are spread out among Canada's provinces. Committee members approved two budgets: one for $28,250 for this study on asylum seekers, and another for $55,000 for a study on attracting global talent. The meeting heard from several experts and service providers about the challenges and potential solutions for a fairer system. During the first part of the meeting, Professor Michael Barutciski from York University suggested that sharing the responsibility for asylum seekers should be mandatory, apply to all asylum seekers, and use a clear formula, similar to Germany's system. He also clarified that asylum seekers do not have the same right as citizens or permanent residents to choose where they live in Canada. Anita Stellinga from COSTI Immigrant Services emphasized that any new approach must help people settle faster and find housing and jobs, advocating for informed choices and coordinated national support rather than forced movement. Steve Jacques from Peel Region highlighted the immense strain on his municipality's resources due to the high number of asylum seekers, calling for predictable national funding and a balanced system to distribute arrivals based on local capacity. The second group of witnesses continued the discussion. Professor Pierre Fortin from the Université du Québec à Montréal discussed the economic impact of high asylum seeker numbers, especially in Quebec and Ontario, and argued for federal reimbursement for provincial costs and a slower pace of immigration. Héléna Roulet and Olive Mukamana from Carrefour le Moutier, a community organization, spoke about the difficulties asylum seekers face in finding housing and accessing services, stressing the need for stable funding for support organizations and a collaborative approach. David Clinton from TheAudit.ca presented data on asylum seeker distribution and the large backlog of cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board, suggesting that faster processing and better screening are needed. Overall, the committee heard various perspectives on how to manage the distribution of asylum seekers more effectively across Canada, focusing on fairness for provinces, support for newcomers, and the sustainability of the system. No specific policy decisions were made during this initial meeting, as it marked the beginning of the study.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met to discuss the Auditor General's 2026 report on reforms to the international student program. The main focus was on how the government is addressing fraud and ensuring students comply with the rules of their permits. Lena Metlege Diab, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Ted Gallivan, the Deputy Minister, answered questions from committee members. The Minister explained that the government has already made improvements, like reducing the number of new international students and stopping a program that had a lot of fraud. She said they are taking the Auditor General's concerns seriously and are reviewing cases of possible fraud. The department plans to review all flagged cases by the end of 2026 and is working to identify when students leave the country after their permits expire. Committee members questioned the Minister about specific numbers from the Auditor General's report, such as the 800 cases of fraud and the 39,500 people who may no longer have valid status in Canada. Some members expressed concern that the government didn't know where these individuals were and whether they posed a security risk. The Minister committed to providing the committee with more detailed information on these cases within three weeks. The committee also discussed a "light touch" approach to study permit extensions, which some members felt wasn't thorough enough. The Deputy Minister clarified that one such program had been discontinued, and the other was being reviewed to ensure better checks on students' financial situations. The committee requested copies of contribution agreements between the government and municipalities regarding housing for asylum claimants. The committee will meet again to discuss a future report on Canada's immigration system and calendar.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met to discuss Canada's immigration system. The committee heard from several witnesses who presented different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the system. Dr. Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist, spoke about the need for better screening and enforcement within the immigration system. He highlighted concerns about refugee backlogs, security risks, and the strain on provincial and municipal resources. He suggested improvements like risk-informed screening, prioritizing claims made abroad, and consolidating border security efforts. Joshua Eisen, a lawyer, focused on the negative impacts of Bill C-12, a proposed law, on vulnerable refugee claimants and the long processing times for humanitarian and compassionate applications. He argued for regulatory exceptions for LGBTQ individuals, survivors of domestic violence, and human trafficking victims. He also emphasized the need to speed up processing times for humanitarian applications. Tracey Maulfair, representing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of the Refugee Convention. She spoke about the need for fair and efficient asylum procedures, timely decision-making, and international cooperation. She also cautioned against using "populist rhetoric" when discussing asylum and refugee issues. Committee members debated with Ms. Maulfair about whether increased asylum seeker intake impacts social programs. Ultimately, the committee aims to use the information gathered to make recommendations for improving Canada's immigration system. The committee agreed to meet again on May 4th with Minister Diab to discuss the Auditor General's report and to complete their study of Canada's immigration system.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Citizenship and Immigration met to discuss Canada's immigration system. The first panel included representatives from Amnesty International Canada, Battista Migration Law Group, and La Passerelle-Intégration et Développement Économique. Marisa Berry Méndez from Amnesty International Canada spoke about human rights concerns within the refugee protection system, including the impact of proposed law C-12 and discrimination in immigration programs. Joycna Kang from Battista Migration Law Group discussed the negative impacts of proposed law C-12 on genuine refugee claimants and the backlog in the system. Léonie Tchatat from La Passerelle highlighted the economic and systemic barriers faced by Black and racialized francophone immigrants and proposed actions for better integration. The second panel featured Sam Routley from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Dr. Yvonne Su from York University, and Richard Kurland from Lawyers for Secure Immigration. Routley discussed the shifting public perception of immigration and the need for a more coherent system. Dr. Su presented data on asylum claims by international students, emphasizing that the issue is concentrated among a small number of institutions and that broad assumptions about entire groups should be avoided. Kurland focused on security concerns within the immigration system, including the forgiveness of foreign criminal convictions and the use of AI for security screening. During the meeting, committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of the immigration system. Questions covered topics such as policy volatility, the impact of proposed law C-12, the integration of francophone immigrants, and security concerns. A motion was introduced to study the distribution of asylum seekers across provinces, particularly focusing on the impacts on Quebec and Ontario. The committee agreed to undertake this study, dedicating a minimum of three meetings to it. The committee set a deadline of May 4 for receiving briefs related to the study of Canada's immigration system. The committee plans to continue its work on this topic at the next meeting.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) met to discuss Canada's immigration system. The committee heard from experts on various aspects of immigration, including regional needs, skills recognition, and refugee resettlement. Witnesses included Professor Tony Fang, Julie Biron and Philippe Proulx from Drummond économique, Anne Woolger from Matthew House, Stéfanie Morris, Dr. Anna Triandafyllidou, and Renze Nauta from Cardus. Professor Fang emphasized that a one-size-fits-all approach to immigration policy doesn't work, advocating for regional floors in immigration levels, especially for Atlantic Canada. He also highlighted the over-education crisis among immigrants and the discrimination faced by racialized newcomers. Julie Biron and Philippe Proulx discussed the challenges faced by businesses in smaller CMAs like Drummondville due to uniform restrictions on temporary foreign workers. They argued for a more nuanced approach that considers regional economic realities. Anne Woolger spoke about the importance of providing adequate shelter and support for refugee claimants, emphasizing that they are an asset to Canada. Stéfanie Morris raised concerns about long processing times for family reunification and called for protected persons to be removed from immigration levels plan quotas. Dr. Anna Triandafyllidou focused on the underutilization of immigrant skills and the need to address gender disparities in employment outcomes. Renze Nauta highlighted the success of privately sponsored refugees and advocated for greater participation of civil society in refugee resettlement. The committee discussed various issues, including the impact of international students on youth employment, housing affordability for asylum claimants, and the challenges faced by businesses in accessing temporary foreign workers. A motion was passed to request quarterly reports from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on citizenship applications and new citizenships granted as a result of the provisions in Bill C-3.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met to discuss the 2026 Auditor General's report on reforms to Canada's international student program. Karen Hogan, the Auditor General, presented the report's findings, noting that while the number of new study permits decreased, the department didn't effectively address integrity concerns. Ted Gallivan, the Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, acknowledged the issues and outlined plans to improve fraud detection and follow-up. Erin O'Gorman, President of the Canada Border Services Agency, discussed CBSA's role in ensuring students comply with visa requirements. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of the program, including fraud detection, enforcement, and collaboration between departments. Hogan highlighted weaknesses in the program's integrity controls, stating that the department didn't adequately investigate or follow up on flagged risks. She noted that many potential cases of non-compliance and fraud were not properly addressed. Gallivan admitted that the lack of follow-through on fraud was unacceptable and committed to completing all planned actions in 2026. He emphasized the need to tighten controls and act more aggressively in response to discrepancies. Committee members raised concerns about the government's handling of fraud cases and the department's collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency. Brad Redekopp questioned Gallivan about the department's awareness of fraud and the resources allocated to investigate it. Peter Fragiskatos focused on the government's plans to ensure control and integrity in the immigration system. Claude DeBellefeuille questioned the effectiveness of the department's measures to ensure students leave the country when their visas expire. Gallivan outlined steps the department is taking to improve the program, including warning students about the consequences of overstaying their visas and implementing a system to track whether students have left the country. He also mentioned plans to work more closely with the Canada Border Services Agency to enforce removals. The committee discussed the need for better data collection, risk management, and collaboration between departments to ensure the integrity of the international student program. The committee agreed to continue its study of Canada's immigration system at a future meeting, with a focus on hearing from additional witnesses. The importance of addressing the issues raised in the Auditor General's report was emphasized, with committee members expressing a commitment to working together to improve the integrity and effectiveness of the international student program.

The Citizenship and Immigration Committee met to discuss Canada's immigration system. The committee adopted a report on the international student program and discussed issues related to security screening, municipal infrastructure, and francophone immigration. Witnesses included immigration lawyer Adam Hummel, Professor Zhixi Zhuang from Toronto Metropolitan University, and representatives from the Société nationale de l'Acadie. Adam Hummel spoke about problems with Canada's immigration security screening process. He said that different government agencies use different databases and risk indicators, which leads to a lack of accountability and endangers public safety. He proposed creating a unified hub for screening information, implementing continuous vetting, and updating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Professor Zhixi Zhuang discussed the need to better align immigration levels with municipal infrastructure planning. She said that cities and communities need to be prepared to support newcomers with housing, transit, and culturally appropriate services. She recommended a formal coordination mechanism between federal, provincial, and municipal governments. The Société nationale de l'Acadie representatives talked about the importance of francophone immigration for the vitality of Acadian communities. They said that the current system is too centralized and doesn't adequately address the specific needs of francophone minority communities. They asked for official recognition and stable funding for their organization to coordinate francophone immigration efforts in Atlantic Canada. The committee also discussed and passed motions related to citizenship by descent and fraud in the international student permit system. A motion was passed to request quarterly reports from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on citizenship by descent applications, broken down by country of origin, with a focus on applications from the United States based on ancestral ties of French-Canadian origin. Another motion was passed to address concerns about fraud in the international student permit system, requiring IRCC to investigate alleged cases and provide quarterly reports to the committee.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met to discuss the supplementary budget estimates for 2025-26 related to immigration. The meeting focused on how the government is managing the immigration system, including reducing temporary residents, addressing asylum claims, and ensuring the integrity of the international student program. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab, along with several department officials, answered questions from committee members. The committee approved a $500 budget for the study. Minister Diab highlighted the government's plan to bring immigration back to sustainable levels by prioritizing skilled newcomers and reducing the number of temporary residents. She outlined how the supplementary estimates would support these priorities, including providing funds to Toronto for refugee housing, modernizing digital services, and improving the passport program. She stated that the government is on track to meet its targets and restore public confidence in the immigration system. Committee members raised concerns about various issues, including the impact of a proposed law (Bill C-3) on citizenship applications, the file review process for asylum seekers, and the integrity of the international student program. Some members questioned whether the government was doing enough to address fraud and ensure that resources were being allocated effectively. The Auditor General's report on the international student program was a key point of discussion, with members questioning the department's handling of potential fraud cases. Officials clarified that the department is working to improve its investigation processes and is collaborating with other agencies to address security concerns. They also discussed the government's efforts to support asylum claimants and work with provinces and territories to manage resources. The committee requested additional information on various topics, including the number of proof of citizenship applications and the distribution of funding to municipalities for housing asylum seekers. Ultimately, the committee members and the minister disagreed on whether the current policies were effective and whether the government was prioritizing the right issues. The meeting adjourned with plans to continue the study of Canada's immigration system at a later date.