“Keeping Canadians safe is our main goal. We are funding police and trying to pass crime bills, but the Conservatives keep blocking them.”

“Mr. Chair, public safety is our top priority. In fact, I was a justice minister provincially in 2013. I understand that more than anyone else. We have multiple crime bills before us in this House that that party and that member have been obstructing since we came here. We are investing in law enforcement. Our priority is to ensure that Canadians are kept safe.”

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“Anyone who commits a crime in Canada will face justice, whether they are a citizen or not. Border officers investigate non-citizens who break the law. Our main goal is to keep Canadians safe.”

“Mr. Chair, I really appreciate this discussion here tonight because it is really important. It affects a lot of people. We take that very seriously. Criminals, whether Canadians, visitors or whatever their status is in Canada, will be held responsible by the law. The courts do their best. If they are non-Canadians, the CBSA investigates. Our priority is to always protect Canadians.”

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“Our immigration plan helps our economy by bringing in skilled workers for jobs in health care, construction, and technology. We are also making immigration levels more manageable and helping temporary workers already here become permanent residents. I want the minister to explain what is being done to speed up applications for people who came here through the Hong Kong program.”

“Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time. I am pleased to rise today to discuss how IRCC’s main estimates will drive our economy. The budget, the spring economic update and now the main estimates are guiding our country forward during a very challenging period. The rupture in global order brings us to a moment when we need to build our strengths at home, diversify our markets abroad, and build or renew international partnerships with like-minded countries. Immigration is an important part of that plan. When it is thoughtfully managed, immigration strengthens our country, fills labour gaps, grows businesses and supports critical sectors like health care, construction and emerging technology. However, the immigration system needs to work smoothly. It needs to be aligned with both the needs of our employers and the capacities of our communities. It needs to provide fair opportunities for those who come to Canada and leave everything behind. The government has been working hard to improve the immigration system by restoring control, strengthening program integrity and returning immigration targets to sustainable levels. In the 2026-28 immigration levels plan, we set a clear commitment to make immigration levels sustainable. The plan stabilizes targets for permanent residents and reduces arrival targets for new temporary residents. We remain focused on attracting the best talent in the world to build our economy and address the labour shortage, while making sure that communities are growing responsibly. As a result, Canadians are seeing a system that is balanced and reliable. Our immigration plan prioritizes workers. In 2026, nearly two out of three PRs will fill essential positions across the country. We are inviting newcomers to fill jobs where there are skill gaps. We are attracting global talent to meet our country’s unique emerging needs. We are prioritizing industries like artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health care and construction. Canada’s international talent attraction strategy is a whole-of-government effort to bring in skilled newcomers our industries and communities need: the best and the brightest. As we begin to attract this talent, we must have a system in place that encourages them to stay and to settle long-term. This is why we are prioritizing skilled temporary workers who are already here for permanent residence. We recently announced more details about the one-time in-Canada workers initiative, which will accelerate the processing and approval of 33,000 temporary workers for permanent residence. They are already here, paying taxes and taking part in our communities. They deserve to feel like Canada is their home. Many of those workers are in smaller and rural communities that are facing persistent labour shortages, where local employers depend on them to stay in business. The main estimates will support a more efficient system for attracting and retaining newcomers. In 2026, our government announced new measures to make it easier for physicians working in Canada to apply for permanent residence. We are also making it easier for graduate and postdoctoral students to bring their expertise to Canada. The department’s digital modernization effort will allow newcomers to understand their applications better and have access to support when needed. New digital tools will help train officers proactively to identify issues and verify information. These tools will also help them process applications faster. We need an immigration system that delivers results for newcomers and for all Canadians, and sometimes that means different results for different parts of our country. The system must be able to reflect what makes each of our regions unique and recognize that Burnaby’s Metrotown and the east coast fisheries represent very different labour markets. We are partnering with provinces and territories and responding to their economic priorities through programs that respect regional diversity. This includes the provincial nominee program, the Atlantic immigration program, and pilot programs that support rural and francophone communities. In a time of global disruption, Canada continues to be a beacon of opportunity, where skilled people from different parts of the world can find their place in welcoming communities, find work in emerging fields and watch their families thrive. We are pulling together strategies and resources to attract the best and the brightest, grow our economy and support our communities. Our government is ensuring that immigration continues to serve Canadians, now and for future generations. Many people who came to Canada through the Hong Kong pathway are highly skilled, very well educated, hard-working and already contributing significantly to our economy. Many pay taxes, work in essential sectors and are building their lives here in Canada. At the same time, many families still face uncertainty because they do not yet have permanent status. Can the minister provide an update on the effort to improve processing times and reduce delays for those families as they continue to contribute to Canada?”

“We support the people of Hong Kong and have helped tens of thousands move to Canada. Wait times for our special Hong Kong immigration programs are long because so many people applied and spots are limited. People waiting can also apply through other regular immigration programs.”

“Mr. Chair, first let me thank the member for Burnaby Central for the work that he is already doing on behalf of his constituents. I know he brings a valuable perspective here, particularly because he is also an immigrant to Canada and has lived experience. With respect to the Hong Kong pathway, Canada stands with the people of Hong Kong, and we support their human rights and freedom. We have implemented a number of measures to support immigration to Canada. Through these measures, tens of thousands of Hong Kong nationals have become temporary or permanent residents in Canada. There are two pathways. We have the permanent resident pathway. In 2021, that was established. It focused on people who were here for Canadian education and work experience. These pathways are still open, but they will close on August 31, 2026. Applications are processed according to the immigration levels plan. High demand, coupled with limited admission space in the immigration levels plan, has led to significant wait times. We are being transparent. We have published the stats. It is a long wait time, because we are doing them based on the immigration levels plan. However, people are also eligible for permanent residence under regular pathways, such as economic or family classes. This past weekend, I was able to spend one day in my own constituency. A couple came to me and said, “Are you the minister?” I looked, and I said, “Yes.” They said, “We came here under the Hong Kong pathway.” They were the first people I had seen on the street who stopped me like that, so it struck me. They said, “We knew that it was going to take years and years. We are both working in Nova Scotia. We both have good jobs. We applied under the provincial nominee program. We did get our permanent residence, and we really appreciate this province and this country.” I do want to let people know that they can look at some of the other pathways.”

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“Local groups in my riding do important work to help immigrants settle into our community. I want the minister to explain how the government will keep helping refugees and vulnerable people around the world as more people are forced to leave their homes.”

“Mr. Chair, Canada was built by hard-working people, men and women who get up early, give back to their communities, pay their taxes, raise their families here and choose Canada every day. First, I want to thank the minister for coming to my riding of Beauport—Limoilou on January 21 to meet with the representatives of organizations that play a vital role in the integration of immigrants. It was a very productive meeting. This is particularly relevant right now, as we are striving to strike a balance between economic needs, our communities’ intake capacity and the quality of life of our fellow Canadians. Immigrants do not integrate on their own. They are helped by dedicated organizations and individuals who work every day to build bridges between cultures and support newcomers on their immigration journey. Today, I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of many organizations and community leaders in Beauport—Limoilou. I am thinking first and foremost of Théodore Bienvenu Leuwat Ngogang, the founder of Métissage Québec, an organization that promotes the inclusion and well-being of vulnerable families, particularly immigrant families. Through its help, support and programs, Métissage Québec makes a real difference in the lives of families and children. It creates a sense of belonging and helps make the integration process smoother for immigrants. I also want to acknowledge the work of Florent Tchatchoua, founder and executive director of Diaspo Interaction, a webcasting platform that helps develop a multicultural collective identity. His organization gives a voice to cultural communities and promotes dialogue, visibility and connection among Canadians of all backgrounds. Another example is Robinson Ngametche, founder and director of the Découvrir ma cité project. Through guided tours, cultural tours and discovery activities, this organization helps newcomers gain a better understanding of their community, discover their neighbourhood and fully participate in Quebec’s economic and social life. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the work of Richard Sah and the organization Amis Solidaires de Québec. This organization plays a key role in advocating for the interests of communities of African descent and promoting living in harmony, inclusion and diversity in our society. These organizations remind us of a fundamental truth: The integration and participation of immigrants in our communities does not depend entirely on public policies. It also hinges on the community’s willingness to welcome, support and lend a hand. When we talk about essential workers, we are also talking about very real situations right here in Beauport—Limoilou, because behind every statistic there are real people and families who simply want a chance to build their future here. I am thinking in particular of the workers who are already contributing to the functioning of our local economy in the neighbourhoods of Beauport, Limoilou, Maizerets and Vieux-Moulin. These are people who contribute to our economic vitality, who shop at our businesses, who enrol their children in our schools, and who are full-fledged members of our community. Canada must remain a welcoming country, with a fair, rigorous, and trustworthy immigration system. In Beauport—Limoilou, as across the country, we see every day that when we provide a warm welcome, proper planning and support, our entire community benefits. In closing, I would like to ask the minister a few questions. Canada has always played an important role on the international stage when it comes to welcoming vulnerable people caught up in humanitarian crises. As I mentioned, in our communities, this welcome often becomes a source of human, cultural and economic enrichment when the conditions for integration are in place. This winter, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Alliance des Ukrainiens de Québec, an organization in my riding, Beauport—Limoilou, that supports Ukrainian families and helps them integrate into our community. This meeting reminded me just how vital local organizations are in helping newcomers rebuild their lives here and participate fully in our society. Can you explain how your government intends to uphold Canada’s humanitarian commitments in a more unstable global context marked by increasingly large-scale population displacements?”

“Canada has a proud history of helping people in need. We are working with provinces, territories, and local groups to welcome newcomers fairly and within our capacity. It takes hard work from everyone to help them settle, and we will keep doing it.”

“Mr. Chair, I want to thank the member for Beauport—Limoilou for the work he does in his community. As he said, back in January, I spent a great day with him and representatives of incredible community organizations working hard on the ground to welcome and support newcomers to Quebec. I especially want to thank the Centre R.I.R.E 2000, the Service de référence en perinatalité pour les femmes immigrantes de Québec, the Centre multiethnique de Québec and Découvrir ma cité. Like my colleague, our humanitarian reputation matters to me. Canada has a proud humanitarian tradition. We have responded to a lot of crises. Our approach is transparent, consistent and fair. We have to be realistic and work within our capacity. That is something we are still working on with communities, community groups, members here, as well, and partners in the provinces and territories. I want to thank everyone across the system, because it is not easy. However, as I said, ours is a proud humanitarian tradition. It requires a lot of coordination with the provinces, territories, municipalities, settlement organizations and community partners. It takes a village, as they say, to help newcomers integrate successfully, and we will keep doing that.”

“We want young people to have good opportunities. There are thousands of summer jobs available right now for youth across the country.”

“Mr. Chair, we all have youth in our communities and homes. We want them to have good jobs and good opportunities. Right now is a great time to bring forth that there are thousands and thousands of Canada summer jobs that are available in every single riding in this country. I would recommend to the member that—”

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“Youth unemployment is going up, and there are many reasons for that. One factor is the temporary foreign worker program.”

“Mr. Chair, we do have a youth unemployment rate. There are many factors in that rate. The rate has recently been rising. The temporary foreign worker program—”

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“Our stricter rules are working. In the first three months of this year, 74 percent fewer new workers arrived in Canada compared to two years ago. That is over 103,000 fewer people.”

“Mr. Chair, our measures are working. We have tightened regulations. Employers in the workforce have already tightened them. It is correct that there have been 74% fewer new worker arrivals. That is down 103,160 people in the first three months of 2026, compared to 2024.”

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“Our government promised to lower the number of temporary residents, including workers, to under 5% of Canada's population by the end of 2027. We are keeping that promise.”

“Mr. Chair, we are reducing the share of non-permanent residents, including workers, to less than 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027. That was the mandate and commitment we made in the election. Canadians elected this government. The Prime Minister has made that a mandate that he provided to all ministers. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has confirmed we are—”

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“In my first year as minister, immigration numbers went down. Asylum claims dropped by 60 percent. New student visas dropped by 80 percent, and temporary foreign workers are down too.”

“Mr. Chair, I am going to point to a track record in my first year as a minister of managing migration. The first is that asylum claims have gone down 60% in early 2026 compared to 2024. The second is that new student visas were down 80% in early 2026 compared to 2024. Temporary foreign workers are down—”

“The Auditor General found that we are giving out fewer student visas. The number of international students coming here has dropped a lot. The member should talk to universities and local governments before saying no students should come.”

“Mr. Chair, in fact, the Auditor General found clear evidence of improvements in that there are fewer student visas being issued. I have already talked about the arrivals of these students. It is a significant decrease. Perhaps the member does not want any to come to the country. Perhaps she should be speaking to the universities, provinces, territories, municipalities and people—”

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“The department investigated every flagged case. We also brought in a bill to fix the problems with people who applied when they should not have.”

“Mr. Chair, there are two things. The first is that the department has investigated each and every case flagged. The second is that we brought in Bill C-12, which would eliminate all the irregularities of those who filed but should not have filed.”

“I was a provincial minister of labour and advanced education in 2020. I worked closely with unions, so I can speak about that experience.”

“Mr. Chair, the member mentioned 2018, which is fabulous. I was a provincial minister and, in fact, acted as the minister of labour and advanced education in 2020. I worked very closely with the unions in my province and can speak to some of that.”

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“Our budget creates many well-paying jobs in the skilled trades for people of all ages.”

“Mr. Chair, I love to hear about skilled trades. That is something this budget is offering: lots and lots of positions for skilled trades for young people and people of all ages in terms of compensation, but we also want to attract people—”

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“I understand the skilled trades and construction from my years as a minister. The government's actions are working.”

“Mr. Chair, I was provincial minister for eight years before now and have been a federal minister for 12 months. I understand the TEER levels, the skilled trades and construction, having come from that world. The important thing is that the measures that have been implemented are working.”

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“I meet with union leaders all the time. These foreign worker jobs fill needed labour gaps, especially in rural areas. The minister has also added strict rules to the program.”

“Mr. Chair, actually, I met with union leaders when I went to Sudbury a few months ago. I also meet with union leaders all the time. It is part of what I do. I think we all do that. The important thing here is that these jobs are to fill labour gaps. They are for work in rural communities, in communities where these jobs are needed. There are extreme measures that the Minister of Employment and Workforce has taken to tighten those measures.”

“We are bringing in more skilled tradespeople like carpenters, plumbers, and machinists. Canada needs these workers to build the country.”

“Mr. Chair, under my express entry category, we continue to prioritize tradespeople such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists. We have been told that these are gaps and that the workers are needed today here in Canada, particularly as we build the country.”

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“Canadians should always get jobs first. We tightened the rules so hiring temporary foreign workers is a last resort, but some businesses still need them. My job is to manage immigration and support young people.”

“Mr. Chair, we have been clear that Canadians always deserve and should be getting the jobs first. There are strict rules, and they have been tightened considerably for temporary foreign workers in a very targeted way that remains the last resort for employers to find workers. There are some businesses and communities that are still needing them. My job is to manage migration and to invest in our youth and also in—”

“We work with the provinces and territories to fill job shortages. Even Conservative MPs have written to me supporting the temporary foreign worker program.”

“Mr. Chair, we work with the provinces and territories to focus on addressing the labour market gaps. Quite frankly, I have received letters from Conservative members of Parliament as well, advocating for the temporary foreign worker program.”

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