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 – March 3, 2022

Supplementary Estimates (C)

March 3, 2022

Good morning/afternoon, Madame Chair.

I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee once again.

As I said previously, I aim to work with all committee members, as we endeavor to make Canada’s immigration system the best in the world.

Together, we’ll ensure Canada remains a top destination of choice for the world’s most talented and skilled people.

As the Committee is aware, our Government aims to continue attracting record numbers of skilled workers – those who will help our economic recovery from the pandemic – while we continue to prioritize family reunification and help the world’s most vulnerable.

In support of these commitments, I’m pleased to present to the Committee some of the key allocations in IRCC’s Supplementary Estimates (C), which total $174.3 M.

The most significant allocation is $118 M to support IRCC’s operating expenditures.

This includes funding for temporary accommodations for unvaccinated, asymptomatic asylum seekers without a quarantine plan; funding to process temporary resident visas for workers, students and visitors; and funding for proof of vaccination credentials.

IRCC is also seeking $46.8 M for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration. 

As the Committee is aware, under this Accord, the Government of Quebec maintains responsibility for immigrant settlement and integration services in return for an annual grant.

Also included in these Estimates is $4M to extend the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot.

As the Committee is aware, the aim of this pilot is to increase employment supports and services for newcomer women, to help them find jobs and support their career advancement.

The Government has seen great success with this pilot and that’s why we’ll extend it for another year.

We want to ensure all newcomers can successfully integrate and contribute to the economy and their communities, and this includes immigrant women.

By extension, we want to ensure our immigration system meets the needs of all newcomers and that it best serves the interests of Canadians.

Madame Chair, the Estimates we’re discussing today will help us to meet these goals.

Once again, I thank you for this opportunity to address the Committee today.

I’d be pleased to answer any of the Committee’s questions.