CIMM – Opening Remarks for the Honourable Sean Fraser Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - To the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration – May 12, 2022

Main Estimates 2022-23

Ottawa, Ontario

May 12, 2022
635 words (5 minutes)

Check against delivery

Good morning, Madame Chair.

Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that I’m joining you from the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe people. This to recognize Canada’s Indigenous heritage, so that we all have a better understanding of this country and its lands.

I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee once again, this time to present the key allocations in the 2022-23 Main Estimates of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

IRCC remains dedicated to working with the Committee to support our immigration, refugee and asylum systems.

We are committed to maintaining Canada as a leading destination of choice for the world’s most talented and skilled people, and as a country known for its dedication to meeting international humanitarian commitments.

As the Committee is aware, we plan to continue our efforts to attract record numbers of skilled workers to help our economic recovery from the pandemic. As well, we will continue to prioritize family reunification and offering shelter to the world’s most vulnerable.

In support of these commitments, these Main Estimates reflect total funding of $3.9 B. This represents a net increase of $654.4 M compared to last year’s Main Estimates.

The most significant additional allocation in the Main Estimates is $208.8M for the implementation of the multi-year immigration levels plans.

To ensure Canada has the workers it needs to fill critical labour market gaps and support a strong economy into the future, our Immigration Levels Plan aims to continue welcoming immigrants at a rate of about 1% of Canada’s population.

Specifically, this translates into totals of 431,645 permanent residents in 2022 and 447,055 in 2023.

This builds on our previous plan, with an increased focus on supporting our economic resurgence and post-pandemic growth.

Madame Chair, the Government also remains firmly committed to our humanitarian efforts, including our plan to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan refugees over the next two years.

More than 12,600 Afghan refugees now call Canada home, and we will continue working with our partners in the region and use all other means available to secure safe passage for those aiming to leave Afghanistan and travel to Canada.

To support this undertaking, the Main Estimates contain $106.2 M to support the Afghanistan resettlement commitment.
They also include $83.5M for the Interim Federal Health program. As you know, Madame Chair, this program provides limited, temporary health coverage to resettled refugees, asylum seekers and other groups, until they are eligible for provincial or territorial health care plans.

In recognition of rising costs to provinces and territories, these Main Estimates contain $173M for the Interim Housing Assistance Program.

This program provides financial support to provincial and municipal governments for extraordinary interim housing pressures that result from costs related to both the COVID-19 pandemic and increased volumes of asylum claimants in recent years.

Madame Chair, as I discussed at a previous appearance, the Government is building a modern immigration system that will position Canada to compete on the global stage for the world’s best talent.

To proceed with building this modernized, digital and data-drive immigration system, $33.1 M is included in these Main Estimates.

And as we further adapt our processes to new technology, IRCC continues to explore more options to uphold and improve our client services. Therefore, to support our Client Support Centre, $22.1 M is included in these Main Estimates.

Madame Chair, these are the most significant allocations in the 2022-23 Main Estimates.

As you are aware, the Government wants is committed to an immigration system that supports our economic recovery, meets the needs of newcomers and serves the interests of all Canadians.

The Main Estimates we are presenting will contribute to these achievements.

Once again, thank you to the Committee for this opportunity to meet with you.

We would now be pleased to answer your questions.