| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| speeches
My goodness, thank you for those very kind words. It's a pleasure for me to be back in Brampton. It's true I've been here during the election campaign, also during our immigration consultations, but perhaps more importantly, our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, here in Brampton announced our commitment to reduce the processing times for families and here, approximately one year later, I am back again to indicate that we are following through on that commitment.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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Migration has been a constant throughout human history, so it should be seen as a reality to address rather than a problem to solve. It presents both challenges and opportunities, but remains a force for positive change, fostering inclusion, diversity, innovation and growth.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| speeches
I'd like to first of all just say something about our Ambassador. I am privileged, Mr. Ambassador, to be the last Minister to visit the Philippines in your three-year term. And I do congratulate the Ambassador, who has served under Trudeau one way back in '83, to Trudeau two just recently. And you said no Minister has been to the Philippines since the new government. That's true if you don't count the Prime Minister as a Minister. But I think he did have a very successful visit here as well. So I thank you, Ambassador, for your great service not only to the Philippines but to Canada. So thank you very much.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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I thought since it was coming towards the end of Parliament it might be time to do a bit of a balance sheet, a balance sheet to show what we have already done in terms of immigration and what we intend to do in the future, and also to tell you why I think immigration is so important. I think that it's really more important than ever now that we have an aging population.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| speeches
Thank you. Well, Mr. Newly Appointed President, Madam Newly Appointed Senator, Minister Chan, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It is a great pleasure for me to be with you today. Sorry I was a little late. The Gardiner was more of a parking lot than it normally is, which underlines the need for infrastructure, but that's another topic.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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Canada is eager to continue to do its part to resettle Syrian refugees in partnership with other countries, the UNHCR, the IOM, other civil society organizations, the private and public sectors and communities within and outside our country.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| speeches
Thank you very much, and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure for me to be back in Vancouver. And I don't say that lightly because it is true.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| speeches
Thank you very much. And good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's a real pleasure for me to be back in Manitoba, and I don't say that everywhere I go because it's a fact that my first full-time job was in Manitoba, way back in 1974, before many of you were probably born, so it makes me feel a little old.