CIMM – Opening Statement – October 24, 2023

Good afternoon. I’m pleased to appear before this committee to discuss my priorities and objectives as Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Mr. Chair, I would like to start by acknowledging that we are meeting today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.

Canada’s immigration system has been facing changing realities and growing pressures. Multiple humanitarian and public health crises, rising asylum claims, and increased interest in Canada all require a clear plan, so that we continue welcoming newcomers while addressing the backlog of applications.

We are also navigating domestic pressures such as housing, infrastructure and labour shortages. Newcomers require a clear path so that they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and be part of the solution to these challenges.

Mr. Chair, one of my top priorities is international students.

We’re currently reviewing the International Student Program to strengthen its integrity, support universities and colleges, and protect students from unethical recruitment and unreliable consultants.

The review will also ensure the program continues to attract and retain the best and brightest students who come to Canada to study, to transition to permanent residence, including spreading the benefits of immigration to all parts of the country and meeting targets for Francophone immigration.

As we move forward, we recognize the urgent need to consider communities’ capacity to welcome newcomers and provide them with adequate housing and services, while supporting those facing humanitarian crises.

While Canada’s housing challenges require a whole-of-government approach, we need to align immigration with other planning while upholding our humanitarian commitments. We also recognize that newcomers with in-demand skills can be part of the solution to housing and other challenges.

With asylum claims on the rise globally, we are improving the capacity, integrity and efficiency of Canada’s asylum system, and investing in interim housing support for asylum seekers. We’re also streamlining access to work permits, which allows them to enter Canada’s labour market sooner while they await a decision on their asylum claim.

Likely many of you have seen the Auditor General’s report on processing permanent residence applications. As of August 31st, Canada welcomed 339,000 permanent residents—up from 310,000 during the same period in 2022. Our goal is to process 80% of all applications within service standards in order to welcome newcomers and reunite families faster. We continue to reduce backlogs through staffing and technological improvements.

We’ve made significant progress. Since September, we’ve surpassed our standard for processing federal high-skilled worker applications received since July 2022. We’re approaching our standard processing time for Provincial Nominee applications received in Express Entry, and for processing spouses, partners and children applications.

As part of our modernization efforts, IRCC is restructuring to improve day-to-day operations and integrity, and to expand expertise in asylum, refugee resettlement, international affairs and humanitarian crisis response.

We are establishing an International Affairs and Crisis Response Sector so that we have a permanent structure to manage and respond to them in the future.

We are also working to enhance the overall client experience—which is critical for attracting and retaining the workers Canada needs in the face of global competition.

We continue to provide direct contact with clients. Funding announced in Budget 2022 has helped increase our Client Support Centre’s capacity, doubling the access rate from 15% last year to at least 30% or more now.

These are just some of the steps we’re taking to ensure Canada’s immigration system is fast, agile and reliable, which I believe is critical to responding to changes in the immigration landscape, and critical to newcomers contributing to Canada’s long-term success.

I am happy to take your questions.