CIMM – Committee & Appearance Overview – February 15 & 17, 2022

About the Committee

Mandate

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) studies matters related to immigration, citizenship and federal multiculturalism policy. The committee has oversight of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Studies

The committee has moved to undertake three studies this session, the first and current study is on Francophone International Students, which will include the February 17 ministerial appearance. This is expected to be followed by studies on Differential Outcomes and Application Backlogs and Processing Times.

Reports

The committee has not presented any reports this session. The following reports from the previous Parliament have been re-tabled in the House of Commons, requesting government responses.

• Report 7-Safe Haven in Canada: Special Immigration and Refugee Measures are Urgently Needed for the People of Hong Kong
• Report 5-Immigration in the Time of Covid-19: Issues and Challenges

About the Appearance

Background

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has been invited to appear on the following motions:

Backlogs, Processing and Applications (February 15 –11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

• That the Minister provide a briefing to committee members on the current state of backlogs at Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, current and projected processing timelines for immigration and refugee streams, citizenship applications and documentation requests, the state of application centers abroad and the rate of acceptance of francophone foreign students.

Francophone International Students (February 17 –11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

• That the Minister appear on a study on the recruitment and acceptance rates of foreign students in Quebec and Canada, including francophone students from African countries.

Each appearance is expected to begin with 5 minutes for opening remarks by the Minister, followed by rounds of questioning as follows:

• First round: 6 minutes for CPC, LPC, BQ and NDP respectively
• Second and subsequent rounds: CPC 5 minutes, LPC 5 minutes, BQ 2.5 minutes, NDP 2.5 minutes, CPC 5 minutes, LPC 5 minutes

Environmental Scan

• Processing times, backlogs and applications: Capacity of the immigration system, programs and services and digitization and modernization.
• Francophone immigration: Achieving targets and international students from French-speaking countries, particularly from Africa. The use and development of the Chinook tool.

Committee Membership

• Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean)
  • Newly appointed Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Human Rights; Second Vice-Chair of CIMM; Vice-Chair of AFGH
• Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC)
  • Long-standing Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; recently appointed as Critic for Housing; Vice-Chair of AFGH
• Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn, AB)
  • Returning Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Member of AFGH
• Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, ON)
  • Vice-Chair of CIMM
• Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK)
• Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West, SK)
  • Deputy Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, ON)
  • Re-elected Chair of CIMM; Member of AFGH
• Marie-France Lalonde (Orléans, ON)
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• Sukh Daliwal (Surrey–Newton, BC)
  • Chair of AFGH
• Shafqat Ali (Brampton Centre, ON)
• Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval—Les Îles, QC)
  • Member for AFGH
• Arielle Kayabaga (London West, ON)

Conservative Party of Canada

Top Party Issues

Backlogs, Processing, and Applications

The CPC has consistently voiced their disappointment with processing delays, particularly as it relates to downstream impacts on labour shortages and the economy. The party strongly advocates for the elimination of backlogs to help increase economic immigration, particularly for temporary foreign workers and skilled workers.

Francophone International Students

While the CPC has seldom spoken about francophone international students, they have been concerned with the allegations of racism at IRCC and in the application process, particularly showing concerns for the Chinook tool.

Recent Party Activity

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

• Feb 7– Oral Questions: Inquired about backlogs, highlighting its impact on the Federal Skilled Worker Program and labour shortage (Hallan).
• Feb 7– Oral Questions: Unprecedented backlog during a time of labour shortage (Brock).
• Jan 28 – Twitter: Stated that the recent announcement on pausing the intake on highly skilled immigrant workers is harmful to the economy and causing our trades to suffer (Hallan).
• Jan 25 – Cross Border Interviews Podcast: Spoke about the need to assign priority to certain groups in order to address the backlogs such as slowing down PR applications. Addressed the need for better infrastructure to tackle backlogs (Hallan).
• Jan 20 – Twitter: Shared a letter written to the Minister to urge him to develop a plan to address the backlogs (Hallan).
• Jan 10 – Twitter: Shared a Hill Times article quoting Liberal MPs speaking candidly about their disappointment with processing delays (Hallan).
• Jan 4 – Twitter: Accused the government of doing nothing to address the backlogs and stating that this is hurting Canada’s economy as well as individuals’ emotional, financial and societal well-being (Hallan).
• Dec 30 – Twitter: Stated that IRCC has failed to modernize and become inclusive and efficient (Hallan).
• Dec 29 – Twitter: Shared a Globe and Mail article outlining how immigration can improve the economy and tweeted about addressing the backlog (Hallan).
• Dec 6 – Oral Questions: Inquired about processing delays on Afghanistan files (Redekopp).
• Dec 2 – Q-143: Processing of temporary foreign worker visa permits (Redekopp).
• Nov 30 – Q-130: Application processing breakdown by category, average processing times by category and number of applications in the backlog (Hallan).
• Nov 26 – Q-112: Processing times for temporary foreign workers in light of the labour shortage(Godin).
• Nov 25 – Twitter: Shared a video where he critiqued the Speech from the Throne’s immigration levels commitment stating that backlogs are not being addressed (Hallan).
• Oct 26 – Twitter: Stated that processing delays at IRCC are inhumane and that Canada needs to have a firmer approach to addressing human rights issues (Hallan).

Francophone International Students

• Feb 7– Oral Questions: Long processing times victimize vulnerable populations, including international students (Zimmer).
• Dec 3 – Question Period: Asking the minister to consider addressing both the labour shortage and welcome more francophone immigrants (Godin).

CIMM Members

• Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn, AB)
  • Returning Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; former Shadow Minister of Multiculturalism; Vice-Chair of AFGH
  • General Topics of Interest
    • Access to information and data breaches
    • Canada’s response to Afghanistan, focus on interpreters, evacuations, refugee measures, and protecting persecuted religious and other minorities
    • Racism and discrimination
    • Processing times and backlogs
    • Immigration pathways for all skill levels, temporary foreign workers and international students
    • Public safety and security, including VFS Global
    • Parents and Grandparents processing times
• Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, ON)
  • Vice-Chair of CIMM
• Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK)
• Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West, SK)
  • Deputy Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Other Active Members

• Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul, MB)
  • Shadow Minister for Public Safety; former Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend, AB)
  • Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
• Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB)
  • Active on immigration and security issues pertaining to Hong Kong
• Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC)
  • Shadow Minister for Public Services and Procurement
• Michael D. Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills)
  • Vice-Chair of AFGH

New Democratic Party

Top Party Issues

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

In regards to application processing, the NDP critic, Jenny Kwan, regularly advocates for those who are affected by processing delays. While they focus on a number of groups affected by these delays, the NDP typically take an interest in processing delays for humanitarian and family reunification applications.

Francophone International Students

The NDP have been less vocal about francophone international students but have taken great interest in the Chinook tool, alleging that the tool contributes to racism within the department. The NDP also calls for the appointment of an immigration Ombudsperson to provide independent oversight over IRCC in response to reports of a security breaches and racism within the department.

Recent Party Activity

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

• Feb 2 – Letter to the Minister: Requested that the study permit for a student be expedited (Kwan).
• Feb 1 – Question Period: Inquired about the government’s plans to reduce processing times. (Boulerice)
• Jan 31 – Hill Times: Commented on long processing times, not only for Afghan asylum seekers, but also all of IRCC’s clients. (Kwan)
• Jan 24 – Letter to the Minister: Requested that the Minister lift the cap of five case inquiries per day currently imposed by the Information Centre for Members of Parliament and Senators. Stated her office has been “inundated with constituents seeking help on their cases due to the significant delays in processing for every stream and the growing desperation from people waiting to get an update from IRCC”(Kwan).
• Jan 24 – Letter to the Minister: Highlighted application delays faced by a group of internationally educated nurses, stating “trained nurses already contribute greatly to our country as caregivers and are only asking for the opportunity to contribute even more” (Kwan).
• Dec 21 – Letter to the Minister: Prolonged wait times for study permits to 16 Iranians(Kwan).
• Dec 14 – Q-233: Temporary foreign worker visas and the use of the Chinook tool(Kwan).
• Dec 6 – Q-160: Breakdown of applications sent to IRCC by stage reached, stream, status and whether they were inland or outland (Kwan).
• Nov 3 – Letter to the Minister: Various IRCC concerns: departmental capacity, processing times and backlogs; need for greater transparency; recommending an Immigration Ombudsman, permanent residence on arrival for migrant workers to prevent precariousness; more action for Afghanistan and Hong Kong; asylum processing; withdraw from Safe Third Country Agreement (Kwan).

Francophone International Students

• Feb 3 – CIMM: Inquired about the statistics related to applications assessed by the Chinook tool, as well as the risk words used to flag applications (Kwan).
• Feb 1 – CIMM: Inquired about statistics and the breakdown of the rejection rates as it relates to international and francophone students (Kwan).
• Jan 28 – Radio-Canada: Stated that racism has no place in society and the government has an obligation to lead by example and ensure their policies are not discriminatory (Kwan).
• Nov 23 – The Logic: Called for the appointment of an Ombudsperson to independently oversee IRCC after allegations of discrimination (Kwan).

CIMM Member

• Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC)
  • Long-standing Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; recently appointed as Critic for Housing; Vice-Chair of AFGH
  • General Topics of Interest
    • Rights, safety and precariousness of Caregivers and other migrant workers
    • Permanent residence on arrival for migrant workers
    • Processing capacity and backlogs
    • Adequate housing availability and affordability
    • Measures for Afghanistan and Hong Kong
    • Creating an Immigration Ombudsman
    • Extending the definition of family for reunification
    • Withdrawal from the Safe Third Country Agreement and Roxham Road
    • Privacy concerns and transparency
    • Parents and Grandparents lottery system
    • Humanitarian and compassionate refusals

Other Active Members

• Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach, AB)
  • Deputy Critic Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Critic Diversity and inclusion; Deputy Critic 2SLGBTQI+ rights
• Alastair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC)
  • Critic Public Safety; Critic Agriculture and Food
• Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, AB)
  • Deputy Whip; Critic Foreign Affairs and International Development

Bloc Québécois

Top Party Issues

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

In regards to processing delays, BQ is primarily interested in processing delays affecting Quebec such as their temporary foreign workers. While the situation in Afghanistan is not of large concern for the party itself, the BQ critic, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, is very active in advocating for human rights causes and interventions and inquires about the processing of applications from Afghanistan.

Francophone International Students

Since Quebec’s interests and the protection of the French language are at the forefront of party interventions, francophone immigration is a top interest. The party has been accusing the department of systemic discrimination in regards to the high rejection rate of international students from African countries, particularly because of the use of the Chinook tool.

Recent Party Activity

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

• Feb 5 – Twitter: Shared a Journal of Montreal article regarding a Quebec doctor who has waited eight years for permanent residence; tagged the Minister (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Jan 31 – AFGH: Inquired about immigration from Afghanistan (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Nov 29 – Q-97: Processing times and application inventories, including the impact of the Afghanistan crisis on IRCC’s ability to process applications (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Oct 26 – Twitter: Stated that processing delays at IRCC are inhumane and that Canada needs to have a firmer approach to addressing human rights issues (Brunelle-Duceppe).

Francophone International Students

• Feb 9 – Twitter: Shared a Journal of Montreal article about Francophone Immigration, criticized the Minister for not granting an interview (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Feb 8 – CIMM: Suggested racism and discrimination was at play in acceptance rates of international students, voiced support for third party oversight of IRCC, focused on acceptance rates from Francophone countries (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Feb 3 – CIMM: Inquired about the Chinook Tool and inequity (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Feb 1 – Twitter: Shared and commented on a Journal of Montreal article on the Minister not making a recent announcement in French (Blanchet).
• Jan28 – Radio-Canada: Stated that he believes that these students are subjected to discrimination and said he is looking forward to hearing the Minister’s opinion on the matter (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Jan 28 – Twitter: Shared a Radio-Canada article discussing the high refusal rates for francophone international students from Africa and commented on systemic racism at IRCC (Blanchet, Villemure).
• Dec1 – Question Period: Accusation of system discrimination underlying high rejection rates of francophone African students who want to come to Quebec (Blanchet).
• Nov 30 – Q-125: The use of the Chinook tool for processing of study permits and temporary visas, including cybersecurity and operations (Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Nov 29 – Q-98: Comparing study permit processing times and application inventories for Quebec for applications from African French-speaking countries(Brunelle-Duceppe).
• Nov 28 – Radio-Canada: Condemned the use of the Chinook tool (Brunelle-Duceppe, Blanchet).

CIMM Member

• Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean)
  • Newly appointed Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Human Rights; Second Vice-Chair of CIMM; Vice-Chair of AFGH
  • General Topics of Interest
    • Suspending the Safe Third Country Agreement and irregular migration at Roxham Road
    • Quebec interests and protection of the French language
    • Francophone immigration, including international students from French-speaking countries in Africa
    • Taking a stand against China in relation to the Uyghur genocide, including a boycott of Olympics in Beijing
    • Human rights conflicts
    • Processing delays
    • Family reunification

Other Active Members

• Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, QC)
  • Former Critic Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; BQ Deputy House Leader
• Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil-Chambly, QC)
  • BQ Party Leader

Liberal Party of Canada

Top Party Issues

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

The government committed to improving processing times, collecting evidence to improve various policies and programs, and frequently highlights the importance of immigration in Canada’s present and future.
In the Speech from the Throne the government outlined commitments to increasing immigration levels and reducing wait times. The 2021 Electoral platform for the Liberal party also highlights changes to reduce processing delays and modernize processes.

Francophone International Students

While the government has not directly commented on francophone international students, they have committed to supporting official language minority communities across Canada and promoting French outside of Quebec.

Recent Party Activity

Backlogs, Processing and Applications

• Jan 31 – CBC Politics: Announced that the $85 million will be used to plow through the backlogged applications by hiring new staff and announced that IRCC will be back on track by the end of this year (Fraser).
• Jan 17 – News Conference: Spoke about the investment of $85 million that was attributed to address backlogs and processing delays and the long term investment of digitizing the immigration system (Fraser).
• Dec 13 – Hill Times: Liberal MPs speak candidly about their disappointment with processing delays.
• Nov 30 – Address in Reply: Our economy’s vitality will depend on our ability to welcome new Canadians. The government is committed to streamlining the immigration process (Ferrada).
• Nov 30 – Address in Reply: Shared support for the government’s commitment to immigration as highlighted in the Speech from the Throne (Aldag, Thompson).
• Nov 23 – Speech from the Throne: Commitment to increasing immigration levels and reducing wait times.
• Sept 1 – Platform(p.25): Welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill labour shortages in in-demand sectors such as health care by building on the economic mobility pathways pilot.
• Sept 1 – Platform(p.25): Establish a Trusted Employer system to streamline application process for Canadian companies hiring temporary foreign workers to fill labour shortages.
• Sept 1 – Platform(p.25): Grow and improve the Global Talent Stream program by simplifying permit renewals, upholding the 2-week processing time, and establishing an employer hotline, to allow Canadian companies to attract and hire highly skilled workers.
• Sept 1 – Platform(p.38): […] Introduce electronic applications for family reunification and implement a program to issue visas to spouses and children abroad while they wait for the processing of their permanent residency application.

Francophone International Students

• Jan 28 – Radio-Canada: Defended IRCC stating that case agents are highly qualified and evaluate cases based on the same criteria.
• Nov 23 – Speech from the Throne:  Commitment to supporting official language minority communities across Canada.
• Sept 1 – Platform(p.35): Support francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

CIMM Members

• Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, ON)
  • Re-elected Chair of CIMM; Member of AFGH
• Marie-France Lalonde (Orléans, ON)
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• SukhDaliwal (Surrey–Newton, BC)
  • Chair of AFGH
• Shafqat Ali (Brampton Centre, ON)
• Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval–Les Îles, Québec)
  • Member of AFGH
• Arielle Kayabaga (London-Ouest, Ontario)