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CIMM - Member Biographies - Mar 8, 2021

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM)

BQ

Christine Normandin, Second Vice-Chair, Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

NDP

Jenny Kwan, Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

CPC

LPC

Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, QC) Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Second Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

About

Christine Normandin is a proud Johannaise with a B.A. in biomedical sciences who became a lawyer specialized in international family and child abduction law.

MP Normandin is the Deputy House Leader of the Bloc Quebecois, Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and is a member of multiple Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Normandin recently shown her support of the Minister immediately granting citizenship to Badawi. She also stated support for amending the citizenship oath and has heavily criticized the government on how they’ve implemented the calls to action.

MP Normandin has criticized the immigration application process and its impacts on those working frontline jobs, international students, as well as family reunification.

Social Media Presence

MP Normandin’s Twitter account is used quite actively to share views on immigration. Recent posts have been focused on Badawi, processing delays, Uyghurs, COPR and irregular migration:

Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC) Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

About

Jenny Kwan was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada at a young age through an extended family reunification stream. For over 28 years, she has fought for the people of East Vancouver.

MP Kwan is a long-standing Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and was formally Critic for Multiculturalism.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Kwan wrote to the Minister on lack of clarity on timelines, exemption details and hotel quarantine with new travel restrictions, and wrote about the citizenship guide and Oath of citizenship.

The member spoke of applying a racial lens for Francophone immigration recently when discussing higher rejection rates for visa applicants from African countries.

In light of the situation in Hong Kong, the member has advocated for the creation of a refugee stream and voiced her security concerns with VSF Global.

The member is concerned about the impacts of the pandemic on migrant workers and their families, particularly the living and working conditions and access to free vaccines.

Social Media Presence

MP Kwan’s Twitter et Facebook accounts focused on universal pharmacare, vaccine roll-out and housing. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn, AB), Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

About

Jasraj Singh Hallan was born in Dubai, immigrated to Northeast Calgary in Canada as a child. He holds an accounting degree, a Master Builder designation and runs a successful homebuilding business.

MP Hallan is the Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the former Shadow Minister of Multiculturalism.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently in Parliament, MP Hallan stated levels are “unrealistic quotas” and raised concerns over immigration processing times and border restrictions as a result of COVID-19.

Called for an explanation of the criteria used by officers when issuing visas and showed concern for the arbitrary and inconsistent judgments in some cases of rejections.

MP Hallan advocated for PR pathways for international students and TFWs. During a debate related to the pipeline cancellation, he vocalized concerns that immigrants are not feeling the “Alberta advantage” and that the oil sector is responsible for creating jobs, not the government.

Called on the Liberal government to comment on situation in India in the recent escalation in tensions between farmers and Indian authorities.

Social Media Presence

MP Hallan’s Twitter and Facebook accounts focused on farmer protests in India, family reunification and on Hong Kong. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, ON)

About

Kyle Seeback holds a Bachelor of laws degree, worked as a civil litigation lawyer in Brampton, Ontario and is a certified mediator.

MP Seeback was formally a member of the CIMM committee in the first session of this Parliament. He previously represented Brampton West in the 41st Parliament and was a member of the Justice and Human Rights as well as the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development committees.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Due to changes in committee membership, MP Seeback recently returned to his role on this committee. His recent interventions are not related to immigration; instead, the member has been vocal about Canada’s economic recovery, notably the need to do more to help small business during the pandemic.

In his CIMM role in the previous session, the member focused his questioning on the processing of passports and visas in the Chandigarh office as well as the acceptance rates of Punjab populations.

He asked about the implementation of the Oath of Citizenship and the changes to the Citizenship Guide and advocated for the need for pathways to PR for temporary foreign workers, including those in the agricultural sector, and the associated LMIA process.

The member also mentioned that family reunification is an incredibly important issue and has asked about the reduction in backlog for Parents and Grandparents.

Social Media Presence

MP Seeback’s Twitter and account has largely been focused on criticising the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out and situation in China. Key posts of interest to IRCC include:

Dean Allison (Niagara West, ON)

About

Dean Allison was born in London, Ontario, and holds a bachelor in Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He owns a Private Equity Firm that assists in small business and startups. Founding member of the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation in Canada and the Belarus Children of Chernobyl program.

MP Allison is a member of the Standing Joint Committee Scrutiny of Regulations. He has served as Critic for International Development and has chaired the Human Resources, Skills Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities committee, and the Foreign Affairs and International Development committee.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently, MP Allison has raised a number of concerns on special measures for Hong Kong, the retaliation from China in enabling international students to come to Canada, and mechanisms available for private sponsors to bring in refugees.

He has spoken to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration about international students and inquired about possible ideas to help them work to work to pay off student bills. MP Allison has also stressed the importance of a strong approach to integrating refugees and providing them with adequate social supports. MP Allison has also tabled a petition for the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship to grant a stateless child a temporary residence permit.

Social Media Presence

MP Allison’s Twitter account has focused on vaccine roll-out and on mental health awareness, with some on China security issues. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Bob Saroya (Markham—Unionville, ON)

About

Bob Saroya was born in India and immigrated to Canada. He served as a corporate director for a multi-billion dollar Canadian company, has volunteered for several local charities in York Region, and meets with and mentors new immigrants.

MP Saroya has formally held membership in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently, MP Saroya has shown interest in government programs and services temporarily suspended, delayed or shut down, as well as the operation of Canadian visa offices located outside of Canada during the pandemic.

He has commented on the importance of international students and their contribution to the Canadian economy. He commented that we “still have plenty of problems” when it comes to processing visa applications.

Social Media Presence

MP Saroya’s Twitter and Facebook pages have recently been focused on illegally smuggled firearms and vaccine roll-out. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga, QC), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

About

Soraya Martinez Ferrada is a Chilean-Canadian who immigrated to Canada and lives in Montreal. She has a background in communications and project management and has over 10 years of involvement in municipal politics.

MP Martinez Ferrada is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently, MP Martinez Ferrada has been active on promoting French-language training for economic immigration and the recent technological and innovative changes done in immigration processes.

MP Martinez Ferrada has shown interest in the goal of 4.4% Francophone immigration by 2023, has asked about the government's policies for the integration of immigrants into minority language communities and has been vocal about Francophone communities decreasing. She has equally shown interest in Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

She has also asked about labour shortages and the role of immigration in addressing skill levels needed in the country as well as an advocate for the importance of family reunification and the development of further assistance for international students, families and foreign workers.

Social Media Presence

MP Martinez-Ferrada’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been focused on sharing key government information on Covid-19 and immigration. Key posts:

Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, ON), Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (Re-elected))

About

Salma Zahid was born in England, has a Master’s in Educational Management and Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration. Prior to entering politics, MP Zahid was a community organizer who worked to support women, their families and youth, and held several positions with the Government of Ontario.

MP Zahid is the re-elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and a long standing member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

In previous sessions, MP Zahid has been interested in family reunification, varying processing delays and practices for various visa offices in the context of family class applications, and shown interest in delays seen in specific spousal sponsorship cases. In the past Parliament, she noted backlogs and processing delays were the most frequent complaints from her constituents.

Social Media and Press

MP Zahid’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been focused on pandemic updates, specifically on vaccine roll-out. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Hon. Geoff Regan (Halifax West, NS), Chair of the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations, Former Speaker of the House

About

Hon. Geoff Regan was born in Nova Scotia to a family of politicians. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University and a Law degree from Dalhousie University. Before entering politics in 1993, he was a Real Estate and Commercial Lawyer.

MP Regan is the Chair of the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations and a long-standing member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Formally, he occupied the posts of Speaker of the House, Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Regan has highlighted the importance of international students and their contribution to Canada. He also questioned how the government encourages Francophone immigration outside of Quebec and inquired about how the government can accelerate the family reunification.

Social Media and Press

MP Regan’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been focused on sharing information on government initiatives. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Sukh Dhaliwal (Surrey–Newton, BC)

About

Sukh Dhaliwal was born in India, immigrated to Canada in 1984 and became a Canadian citizen three years later. He is a a professional engineer, Fellow of Engineers Canada, land surveyor and small business owner who co-founded a successful land surveying company.

MP Dhaliwal is a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently, MP Dhaliwal has focused on the important contributions of international students to Canada’s economy, culture and society. He has shown interest in examining family reunification and spousal sponsorships, but acknowledged that there are many dimensions to the issue.

Social Media Presence

MP Dhaliwal’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been used to share information on the government’s response to Covid-19. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Anju Dhillon (Dorval‒Lachine‒LaSalle, QC)

About

Anju Dhillon was born and raised in Montreal, holds a B.A. in Political Science from Concordia University and obtained a law degree from l’Université de Montréal. Before her career in politics, she was an attorney, and the first Canadian Sikh to practice law in Québec.

MP Dhillon is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women and formally a member of the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Dhillon has shown recent interest in sponsorships and spousal work permits, specifically that constituents feel that they have been discriminated against because officers are not always fit to understand the nature of their relationships. She has asked about bias training to this regard.

MP Dhillon has shown interest in biometrics, random refusals for visitor visas, and the lengthy process of Labour Market Impact Assessments and concerns of gender equality in the processing of temporary resident visas.

Social Media Presence

MP Dhillon’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been focused on the economy and racialized groups. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

Marc G. Serré (Nickel Belt, ON)

Immigration Topics of Interest

Marc Serré is a proud Francophone born in Chelmsford, Ontario, and is a second generation Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Ontario. He is also a member of the Algonquin First Nation in Mattawa/North Bay. MP Serré holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Laurentian University and is the founder and CEO of PhoneNet, an internet service provider business.

MP Serré is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women and the former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural and Economic Development.

Immigration Topics of Interest

Parliament

MP Serré has shown recent interest in digitizing applications, correcting the backlog of spousal applications as well as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and the ability to integrate and retain newcomer families.

Social Media and Press

MP Serré’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have recently been focused on stakeholder meetings in the Nickel Belt, senior’s advocacy, and addressing labour shortages in rural and northern Ontario. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

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