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CIMM – Committee & Appearance Overview – March 3, 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 Recruitment and Acceptance Rates of Foreign Students, which included a 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.

About the Appearance

Background

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has been invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) on Supplementary Estimates (C). The Minister was prepared to appear on both Supplementary Estimates (C) and Main Estimates in a combined meeting, but the committee has now elected to study the Main Estimates at a later date.

The President of Treasury Board tabled the 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates (C) on February 19.

The IRCC and IRB portion of these estimates was automatically deemed referred to CIMM for consideration. During the appearance, it is anticipated that the Minister will be invited to deliver a 5-minute opening statement, followed by rounds of questioning as follows:

Environmental Scan

The 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates (C) include a total of $1.9M for the IRB for Immigration Levels, and a total of $451.6M for IRCC. The following three line items received the highest funding allocation within IRCC:

Committee Membership

Conservative Party of Canada

Top Party Issues

The conflict in Ukraine has recently surged to the forefront of the party’s messaging. The CPC is calling on the government to lift Visa requirements for Ukrainians hoping to flee to Canada.

A key priority of the party is Afghanistan, having criticized the government for inaction in response to the crisis.

Processing delays and backlogs have been at the forefront of questioning. Their platform recommends implementing an express processing fee, moving immigration infrastructure online, and recording all officer-applicant interactions.

The CPC often raise the issue of Canada’s skilled labour shortage and the role of immigration and migrant workers in the economy.

The integrity of the immigration system, particularly as it relates to data breaches, safety and security have been highly discussed, including alleged breaches of Afghan refugee data and issues of foreign interference.

On family reunification, the party mainly focuses on processing times. Their platform recommends eliminating the lottery system, and combining FIFO and weighting principles.

The party has advocated for changes to border and asylum, including closing the Safe Third Country Agreement loophole and expediting Immigration and Refugee Board asylum hearings.

On refugees, the party believes that the Government Assisted Refugees stream should be terminated, that a human rights defenders stream should be implemented, and that the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program should be made permanent.

With respect to settlement and integration, the party has called for the launch of a Credential Recognition Task Force.

Recent Party Activity

Cimm Members

Other Active Members

New Democratic Party

Top Party Issues

Ukraine has recently become a focus for the party, with the NDP calling for the government to lift Visa requirements for Ukrainians seeking a safe haven in Canada.

On economic immigration, the party often advocates for aligning immigration levels with labour force needs. They call on the government to bring back an economic program for all skill levels.

The NDP calls for the appointment of an immigration Ombuds person to provide independent oversight over IRCC in response to reports of a security breaches and alleged racism within the department.

On Afghanistan, the party has criticised the government for inaction and called for a need to do more in response to the humanitarian crisis, particularly for those at most risk who are inside their source country. They also seek to relax requirements for Afghan refugees to come to Canada.

Providing permanent residence upon arrival is a key recommendation put forth by the party as a means to reduce precariousness of migrant workers.

The party often intervenes on issues of the migrant worker rights and safety, and has called for expanding on healthcare, and for terminating both the Live-In Caregiver Program and Temporary Foreign Worker Program. They also advocate for removing language requirements in permanent residence applications.

On family reunification, the elimination of the lottery system and of caps to sponsoring parents and grandparents is a top issue, as is the reduction of backlogs in this line of business. The party has advocated for broadening the definition of family to include extended family.

With regard to refugees, a permanent resettlement program for LGBTI refugees is a frequent request by the party.

Recent Party Activity

Cimm Member

Other Active Members

Bloc Québécois

Top Party Issues

Quebec’s interests and the protection of the French language are at the forefront of party interventions. Francophone immigration is a top interest, and the party has proposed settlement incentives for Quebec (e.g. tax credits).The BQ has recently focused on acceptance rates of international students from African countries. 

The situation in Ukraine has recently become an issue of significance for the BQ, with the party demanding action from the government on sanctions and displaced persons.

The party has proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program including a transfer of the program to Quebec, a halt in annual LMIAs, and an increase on work permit and visa duration. They call for improvements to processing times in the agriculture sector and stressed the crucial role of migrant workers in food security.

On economic immigration, the party advocates for digitizing and expediting the processing of Quebec permanent resident applications. They previously called on the government to exempt Confirmation of Permanent Residence holders from travel restrictions.

With regard to borders and asylum, the party calls for increasing Quebec border management powers, and ending the Safe Third Country Agreement as a means to stop irregular migration.

On family reunification, the party calls for a transfer of the program to Quebec.

In the 43rd Parliament, the party was a strong advocate for guardian angels.

Recent Party Activity

CIMM Member

Other Active Members

Liberal Party of Canada

Top Party Issues

Party efforts are focused on achieving the Immigration Levels and has committed to resettle 40,000 eligible Afghan refugees.

On Ukraine, the LPC has pointed to government measures taken to address the situation and promised that more action will be taken.

Transformation and digitization in various lines of business is actively highlighted by the party and used a solution to modernizing the immigration system.

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.

Recent Party Activity

CIMM Member

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