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CIMM - Member Biographies, CIMM Ministerial Appearance on the 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates (A) - June 2, 2021

Members of 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 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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Normandin recently vocalized concerns about processing times and backlogs, specifically for Quebec Skilled Workers, spousal sponsorship, visa applications, family reunification, and permanent residence. She has also spoken of prioritizing in-Canada PR applicants.

Recently at CIMM, the member has been a strong advocate for introducing flexibility in the LMIA, including a Trusted Employer program, the adoption of a regional/sectoral approach to filling labour needs, longer visas/permits, and the implementation of a dedicated telephone line for employers. She has also inquired on the consequences should someone using the TR to PR Pathway decide to move to Quebec.

Recent requests to IRCC:

Online Presence

MP Normandin’s recent posts of interest include:

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

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Kwan recently introduced C-291, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act on family sponsorship and dual intent. She also recently spoke out against the termination and replacement of immigrant women at the Pacific Gateway hotel.

Recently at CIMM, the member has raised a ‘litany of issues’ with the Caregiver program, including processing times and language requirements. The member strongly advocates for landed PR for all TFWs to eliminate precariousness, the return of a PR program for all skill levels, and amnesty for undocumented workers. MP Kwan has been openly critical the first-come-first-serve basis and unequal access to those without reliable internet for the TR to PR Pathway, and is interested in digitization timelines.

Recent requests to IRCC:

Online Presence

MP Kwan’s social media accounts have recently been focused on housing, wage subsidies, and universal pharmacare. 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, Alberta as a child. He is the Shadow Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the former Shadow Minister of Multiculturalism.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Hallan recently vocalized concerns about privacy breaches at IRCC and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and concern on C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

Recently at CIMM, the member has spoken of the downstream effect of backlogs on both TFWs and their employers, the need to streamline Covid-19 testing, and the roll-out of TR to PR Pathway.

Recent requests to IRCC:

Online Presence

MP Hallan’s social media accounts focus on vaccine roll out and Bill C-10. 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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

Recently in the House, MP Seeback has not raised concerns relating to IRCC issues, nor has he requested a written response to any returns, undertakings or letters.

Recently at CIMM, the member has raised issues related to the impact of the pandemic on processing times, the extended quarantine of TFWs due to testing delays, and explored the Trusted Employer Program and increased length of work permits as potential solutions to decrease the LMIA administrative burden to employers. He recently spoke out for undocumented workers and how they have been excluded in the recent TR to PR Pathway.

Online Presence

MP Seeback’s social media accounts have largely been focused on freedom of speech, criticising the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out and situation in China. There are no recent posts relating to IRCC. Older 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 start-ups. 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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Allison has not made any recent interventions of interest to IRCC in the House.

Recently at CIMM, he has advocated for the need for a sectoral approach to addressing labour needs, and has raised concerns for the downstream impact of labour shortages in food manufacturing and agriculture on company investments in Canada. He has advocated on behalf for the restaurant and hospitality industry in light of the TR to PR Pathway.

Online Presence

MP Allison’s social media accounts are relatively inactive, with recent posts focused on vaccine roll-out, mental health awareness, and some China security issues. There are no posts of interest to IRCC at this time.

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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Saroya has not made any recent interventions of interest to IRCC in the House.

Recently at CIMM, the member has spoken about the administrative and financial burden of the annual LMIA process on employers, as well as issues with dual intent. He recently spoke of the need to include restaurants and in hospitality to the list of essential workers, and spoke of undocumented individuals working under the table for 25 years.

Social Media Presence

MP Saroya’s social media accounts have recently been focused on freedom of expression, illegally smuggled firearms and vaccine roll-out. There are no recent posts of interest to IRCC.

Peter Schiefke (Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

About

Peter Schiefke lives in Montreal and has a background in political science and renewable resources. He worked on sustainable development causes in his roles as Director and Co-Founder of Youth Action Canada and National Director of Climate Reality Canada.

MP Schiefke is the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. Previously he held the positions of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth; Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction; and Environment and Climate Change.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

As a newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, MP Schiefke has not been active on the topic of immigration in the House of Commons, but instead have focused on environmental causes in his formal role.

Since joining CIMM, the member has actively responded to opposition member criticisms and concerns and asked stakeholders to provide concrete recommendations on improving various areas, including the LMIA application, expanding on the TR to PR announcement, and extending the length of permits and LMIAs.

Online Presence

MP Schiefke’s social media accounts have recently been inactive, with previous interventions focused on climate change, net-zero emissions and Covid-19 information. There are no posts of interest to IRCC at this time.

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

Due to her role as the Chairperson, MP Zahid does not intervene at CIMM. As such, the member does not have any recent interventions on the immigration topics.

On May 13, 2021, MP Zahid stood in the House and presented the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, entitled “Immigration in the Time of COVID-19: Issues and Challenges.”

Recently, the member also spoke about sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces during the May 4, 2021 Opposition Day.

Online Presence

MP Zahid’s social media accounts have recently been focused on pandemic updates, specifically on vaccine roll-out.

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 not had any recent interventions of interest to IRCC in the House.

At CIMM recently, the member has asked stakeholders about labour shortages and access to TFWs, increasing labour mobility between businesses and regions, and implementing permanent solutions to labour shortages.

Online Presence

MP Regan’s social media accounts have recently been focused on sharing information on government initiatives and vaccine roll-out. There are no recent 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 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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Dhaliwal has not made any recent interventions of interest to IRCC in the House.

At CIMM, the member has discussed the importance of international student recruitment and mentioned how undocumented workers have good language levels.

Recent requests to IRCC:

Online Presence

MP Dhaliwal’s social media 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.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

MP Dhillon has not intervened on topics related to IRCC as of late. On February 18, 2021, the member rose to speak to Private Members’ Bill C-223, which proposed requiring adequate knowledge of French for citizenship applicants residing in Quebec.

At CIMM, the member has focused on promoting various government programs and milestones related to immigration, and typically asks stakeholders whether such initiatives have been helpful.

Online Presence

MP Dhillon’s social media accounts have recently been focused on COVID-19, Budget 2021, the economy and racialized groups. There are no recent posts of interest to IRCC.

Maninder Sidhu (Brampton East, ON), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development

About

Maninder Sidhu is the founder of The Kindness Movement Charity, which assists underprivileged school children and the less fortunate in India and Canada.

MP Sidhu is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, and newly appointed member of CIMM.

Topics of Interest

Parliamentary Interventions

As a newly appointment member of CIMM, MP Sidhu has not previously been overly active in the Parliament on the topic of immigration. Previously, he rose to recognize hard-working Tamil-Canadians during Tamil Heritage Month, spoke on the issue of the Farmer Protests in India, and advocated for the right to worship peacefully in response to hate crimes. Since joining CIMM, the member has spoken of government initiatives in relation to immigration, touched on sectoral, regional or cross-business approaches to labour mobility, and asked about Covid-19 testing issues experienced by TFWs.

Social Media and Press

MP Sidhu’s social media accounts have recently been focused on sharing the government’s implementation of various Covid-19 measures, Budget 2021, vaccine roll-out, and clean energy. Key posts of interest to IRCC:

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