Lena Metlege Diab

In response to a question from Costas Menegakis

“The opposition member needs to listen to the facts. The number of international students, temporary workers, and asylum claims has dropped sharply. Canada's population fell for the first time, rents are down over 9%, and experts say this immigration slowdown is lowering housing costs.”

“Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of the member in the opposition, who cannot seem to listen, here are the facts. The temporary resident population has dropped by 80% for international students and 59% for temporary workers, with a 69% decline in asylum claims. The StatsCan figures show the population has declined for the first time in our history. Rentals.ca reports that rents are down by an average of 9.2%. TD Economics reports an immigration slowdown, reduced housing prices—”

In response to a question from Luc Berthold

“Canada controls its own immigration system. No one else tells us what path to take. Working closely with our transatlantic partners will make us more independent.”

“Mr. Speaker, what Canadians need to know is that we are masters in our own house. We are focusing on maintaining balance and control over our immigration system. Just as the Prime Minister said in Strasbourg, no one dictates the path Canada should take. Canada is working to establish a closer transatlantic partnership that will give us greater independence in a changing world.”

• Vague
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Clarity 25 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“The member is misleading Canadians, and she has been here long enough to know better. This change is for permanent residents who already live here, not temporary foreign workers. It cuts red tape, makes things simpler, and helps businesses and skilled workers.”

“Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight. The member has been in that seat for 10 or 11 years, and she knows better. She is continually misleading Canadians. This is a measure for permanent residents who are already here. This is cutting red tape and making it simpler. It is better. It is good for businesses. It is good for employers. Skilled individuals will be using it. This is not for temporary foreign workers.”

• Personal attack
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Respect 90 of 100

  This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “She is continually misleading Canadians”.

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• Echo ×3

  A repeated line

  “Let me set the record straight.”

  Said 3 times by 2 members since May 28.

  Every time it was said →

In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“Our changes to the immigration system are working. We have fewer temporary residents and asylum seekers, the system is stable, and we met our targets for the first time in ten years. Immigration makes Canada successful, and I will share our next plan soon.”

“Mr. Speaker, here is what Canadians need to know. We have made reforms to our immigration system to restore integrity and balance, and those reforms are working. The temporary resident population is down, the asylum level is down, our system has been stabilized and Canada has met our levels targets for the first time in a decade. Canadians know that immigration helped build this country, and it will continue to contribute to our success. I very much look forward to tabling our levels plan in the next few weeks.”

In response to a question from Jacques Gourde

“We are working to stop fraud in our immigration system. We work with security partners, provinces, territories, and businesses to make sure newcomers meet our rules.”

“Mr. Speaker, this side of the House is working to protect our immigration system from fraud. We are working very closely with our security partners. We are working closely with all the provinces and territories, as well as businesses. People who come to Canada need to meet our criteria. We will continue to work to build a strong and resilient Canada.”

• Vague
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Clarity 22 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“Our immigration laws punish people who commit serious crimes. We have deported over 22,000 people to keep Canadians safe, and we will keep working with police to do that.”

“Mr. Speaker, I do want to wish the colleague a very happy July and August, wherever she is with her family. Perhaps in the fall she will come back with a bit of a better spirit. We have continuously said that no one can commit a crime with impunity. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences. There is nothing in the immigration law that does not allow that. In fact, public safety and law enforcement have deported over 22,000 cases, and we will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that we protect Canadians.”

• Answered
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 100 of 100

  Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Jonathan Rowe

“Our immigration plan is working. The number of temporary residents has gone down. We are focusing on bringing in skilled workers, like doctors, nurses, builders, and engineers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have good news. Here is what Canadians need to know. Our plan for responsible, sustainable immigration is working. The non-permanent resident population has declined. We are focused on attracting skilled talent, like health care workers, construction workers, researchers and engineers. The numbers do not lie. Our plan is working.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 48 of 100

  None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Scot Davidson

“Our plan to manage immigration is working. Temporary residents are down by 73 percent, asylum claims are down by 63 percent, and rents have dropped for 20 months.”

“Mr. Speaker, that colleague has asked that question a number of times, and it has been answered. Let me tell him what Canadians do want to know. Canadians know that the government is focused on building a stronger economy to responsibly manage migration. We have tightened our processes, and the latest numbers prove it: the temporary resident population is down 73%; asylum claims are down 63%; the non-permanent resident population has dropped for 18 consecutive months; and asking rents have dropped for 20 months. Numbers do not lie, and our plan is working.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 0 of 100

  None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“Having a Canadian ancestor does not make someone an automatic citizen. People must prove their direct link to Canada through each generation, and genealogy websites are not enough. I will protect the rules of our citizenship program.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have been clear. Just because someone has a Canadian ancestor, this does not mean they are automatically eligible for citizenship. They must definitively prove their link to Canada at each and every generation. Genealogy websites are not enough. My job is to safeguard the integrity of our citizenship program, and I will do everything necessary to protect that.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 47 of 100

  None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Melissa Lantsman

“Senior officials from the Iranian government and its military are banned from entering Canada. We are not letting them in.”

“Mr. Speaker, let us try this again. As we have repeatedly said, IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada. They are not being admitted. There is a ban; that ban continues to be in place. Any senior officials who have served in the Iranian regime since June 2003 onward are not admissible to Canada.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 47 of 100

  None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Jenny Kwan

“More than 1,400 people from Gaza have arrived in Canada. I told my department to speed up study permits for Palestinian students who were able to leave. We are still processing applications while keeping our system safe.”

“Mr. Speaker, we remain committed to what we have promised. Despite significant challenges, Canadians need to know that over 1,400 Gazans have arrived in Canada. Through our programs, I have directed my department to accelerate decisions on study permits for Palestinian students who have been able to exit. They are being interviewed, and final decisions are being made. We will continue processing applications while upholding the requirements to protect our immigration system and those it serves.”

• Answered
  ?

  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 100 of 100

  Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“Our government is working hard, being open, and managing immigration well. I thank the people in my riding for electing me to do this work.”

“Mr. Chair, I am actually disappointed that we are coming to a close, because I think we just are getting started, to be quite frank. Let me first thank the member for Winnipeg North for the tremendous work he is doing here. Every member of the House knows he is a champion and represents his constituents and Canadians exceptionally well. He has been a great mentor to me personally since I came to the House in 2021. I want Canadians to know that we are working hard for them. We are being transparent. We have a plan. We are managing migration. We clearly have results. I also want to take a moment to thank the support staff, the interpreters, the pages, the security personnel, the dedicated professionals at IRCC and my colleagues beside me, who have been here the whole time to support me through this process and also to work for Canadians as we continue this work. Ministers do not get a chance to do this. Members can, but not ministers. It is my first chance since I was elected 12 months ago to thank the good people of Halifax West, without whom I would not be able to do this important work for Canadians. I just want to tell them and everybody across the country that I am looking forward to a very productive summer season, when I will get an opportunity to hear from everybody from different parts of the country, all their views, opinions and interests, as we continue to build a strong economy with my parliamentary colleagues on the benches, with this great government, the ministers who work day and night and our fabulous Prime Minister. I told the media, which is true, that we have a difficult task, but we will do it, and we will deliver for Canadians.”

• Didn't answer
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  Reply to a debate question

  Relevance 45 of 100

  None of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

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• Little substance
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  Reply to a debate question

  Signal 26 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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