CIMM – Opening Remarks to the Honourable Sean Fraser, PC., M.P. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Standing – November 18, 2022

Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) Meeting – Roxham Road – November 18, 2022

November 18, 2022

689 words (6-7 minutes)

Motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(b), the committee undertake a study as soon as possible on the conditions faced by asylum-seekers using the irregular administrative path maintained by the Safe Third Country Agreement; that the committee consider the safety, security and health of people and families of migrants who cross the Canada–United States border at Roxham Road in particular; that the committee hold no more than three meetings to hear witnesses; that the committee it report its findings and recommendations to the House ; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

Introduction – Asylum Claims In Canada

Thank you, Chair.

I want to start today by acknowledging we are meeting today on the traditional and unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Peoples.

[Virtual]: I want to start today by acknowledging I am appearing today from the traditional and unceded territories of the Mi’kmaq Peoples.

We are living in a reality of increasing global migration. Like many other countries, Canada is experiencing a rise in the number of people claiming asylum. Canada continues to meet our international legal obligations to provide protection to people fleeing persecution.

It is important to understand Canada’s asylum system is separate from our Refugee Resettlement Program. The in-Canada asylum system is for people making refugee protection claims from within Canada.

For asylum claims made in Canada, all eligible asylum claimants receive a fair assessment on the individual merits of their claim and whether they require protection. This is done at Canada’s independent administrative tribunal—the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

If there is a positive decision on their asylum claim, claimants receive protected person status. This then makes them eligible to apply for permanent residency.

If they receive a negative decision on their asylum claim, they will be issued a removal order and released on conditions to report for a future removal proceeding.

The IRB, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency share a role in this system. We are working to ensure that cases flow through as quickly and efficiently as possible. The government is investing new resources in the asylum system to increase capacity and timely processing.

The Government of Canada is also in regular contact with U.S. officials on a range of issues related to our shared border. This includes modernizing the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Since its implementation, the Safe Third Country Agreement has been an important tool for working with the U.S. to ensure the orderly processing of asylum claims at our shared border. The Agreement applies at all land ports of entry and states that refugee claimants are required to request refugee protection in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception to the Agreement. Exceptions to the Agreement consider the importance of family unity, the best interests of children and the public interest.

Government Support For Provinces

The federal government has been providing provincial and municipal partners with support for temporary housing. Since 2017, support has primarily been through the Interim Housing Assistance Program.

This program provides compensation to provinces and municipalities for extraordinary costs of interim housing for asylum seekers. It is done on a cost-sharing basis.

The federal government has also been directly providing temporary shelter to asylum seekers crossing at Roxham Road since November 2021. This was to facilitate quarantine for non-vaccinated claimants. And to backstop provincial capacity in light of the increased volumes of arrivals.

From April 2017 to September 30, 2022, IRCC spent $269.4 million on accommodation, security, health and transportation costs related to Roxham Road.

This support recognizes the pressures that provinces and municipalities face as a result of the increased number of people claiming asylum over the past few years.

The majority of the people housed in the IRCC facilities are awaiting transfer to provincial facilities or more permanent accommodations.

While supporting asylum seekers is a shared responsibility, the Government of Canada will continue to support provincial and municipal partners to develop shared solutions.

Quebec Situation

The rise in asylum claimants entering Quebec has placed constraints on the limited bed capacity in the Quebec shelter system.

Lacolle, Quebec, remains the main initial point of entry for the majority of asylum claimants entering Canada between ports of entry. Some of these individuals indicate their final destination is elsewhere in Canada. The Government of Canada began transferring asylum claimants from Quebec to Ontario on June 30, 2022 to alleviate some of the pressure.

Quebec continues to be a valued partner and we recognize the hard work the province has undertaken to support asylum claimants. We are considering what further support we can provide as a result of the increase in asylum claim volumes.

Once again, thank you for this invitation today.

I’m happy to answer any of the Committee’s questions.