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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal Halifax West—Peggy's Cove 269 statements translated

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Metlege Diab oversees the Ministry of Immigration, defending policies that reduce temporary resident levels and advancing legislation like Bill C-3 to grant citizenship to children of Canadians born abroad. Her arguments often lean on broad commitments, as she states, “We are focusing on maintaining balance and control over our immigration system.” She backs these claims with figures regarding population declines and deportation numbers.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
B
77 / 100 over 127 statements
Signal 77 / 100
Relevance 66 / 100
Respect 100 / 100
Clarity 85 / 100
Loses points more than most for A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.2.3 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.3 Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.2.2 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.2 Wording that hides who did something, or who will.2.2 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.2 Loses points less than most for Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.Less often than most members.What the tags mean Averaged over the 127 of 269 statements graded so far.

Statements 269

Government Orders ·

Business of Supply

In response to a question from Elizabeth May

“We can only process a set number of immigration applications each year because of our plan. We have been clear about this limit. We met our target last year, and we are on track to meet it again this year.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, my colleague raises a really good point that we have been talking with my department’s officials about, because we receive those concerns in my constituency office as well, as do all parliamentarians. I would say that part of the process is to do with the fact that we have a levels plan that is part of managing migration in Canada, permanent and temporary. As a result of that, we can only process so many per year. We have been clear and transparent with Canadians on what that number is. In fact, we met our target last year and we are on track to do so this year. It is part of the levels plan that we have that we can only process so much.

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In response to a question from Elizabeth May

“I respect the member and appreciate her knowledge. To answer her question, the Safe Third Country Agreement with Canada is still in place.”

  • 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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  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, this may be one of the first times that I have responded to the hon. member. I know she has been here for a while. I very much respect her as a person, but also as a parliamentarian. I know she has connections to my province of Nova Scotia. I really appreciate her wealth of knowledge here. She asked me a question about the STCA. The information I have is that the STCA continues to be partnered with Canada.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“We are saving money because fewer people are claiming asylum. Our new bill will bring those numbers down even more.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 49 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, the good news is that we are saving money because the asylum claim numbers are down. We will continue to bring them down with Bill C-12 to curb those numbers.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“People who commit serious crimes should face serious consequences.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 50 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, again, let me get back to the question of criminality. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences, period.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“I do not understand what the member is asking about. He needs to clarify if he means temporary support for vulnerable people before provinces take over the funding.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, I am not sure what my colleague is referring to. Is he referring to coverages that are interim for essential services for vulnerable people before they transition to provincial funding? He is going to have to confirm that.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“Canada deported 23,000 people this past year. We work with border officers and police, and we are hiring more than 1,000 new officers to keep Canadians safe.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 48 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, as I said earlier, the Canada Border Services Agency has deported 23,000 people this past year. We work with the CBSA and with our law enforcement. We are investing in over 1,000 more officers to ensure that we protect Canadians.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“Our government is spending money on police to protect Canadians. We have cut refugee health coverage and added copays.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, I am proud to say that this government is investing in law enforcement. This government is protecting Canadians. That is our priority. We have reduced the IFHP coverage. We have instituted copay as well. The PBO has confirmed—

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“Anyone who commits a crime faces consequences, whether they are a Canadian citizen or not.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, no one can commit a crime with impunity, whether they are Canadian or not. People committing crimes face consequences.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“These measures are temporary and limited. They are for vulnerable people who do not have provincial health coverage yet.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, these are temporary, limited measures for vulnerable people who are not yet receiving provincial coverage.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“This coverage is for essential services, just like provincial health plans.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, the coverage is for essential services. It is aligned with similar provincial health insurance programs.

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“I understand this is an important topic. These federal health measures are temporary and meant for vulnerable people.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Signal 27 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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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, again, I know it is an important subject. I appreciate my colleague. I know he cares; otherwise, he would not be asking me the question. I do appreciate that, but again, as I said, these are temporary, interim federal health measures for vulnerable—

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In response to a question from Fred Davies

“We process 80 percent of completed applications on time, even though demand is very high. We train our staff to handle this work, and we have been open with Canadians about it.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 48 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, let me tell everyone about processing and our service standards: 80% of completed applications are processed within service standards. There is high demand for the available level space that we have. We have been transparent. We have been clear with all Canadians and all members of Parliament on that. Our staff has cross-training so they can work with the demand we have.

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In response to a question from Fred Davies

“We paused that program. We are looking for the best way forward to control immigration numbers, bring in French speakers, and attract global talent. Our plan is working.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 43 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, again, as I have said, that program was paused. The department is actively looking at what the best way is, because part of my mission is to bring sustainability to our permanent resident numbers and our temporary resident numbers, to attract francophone immigration and to bring global talent to Canada. That is exactly the mission we are working on, and we are achieving clear results.

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In response to a question from Fred Davies

“Pausing the program was the right decision. Too many people were applying, and the department could not keep up. The pause gives us time to review the system and fix it.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, through you, I would please ask that people not put words in my mouth. I said the program was paused. That was the right thing to do. There were too many applications in the system. We have heard about that for a little while. It was uncontrollable, but it was not because of the IRCC and the people working diligently in that department. It was because too many people were applying, and they could not stop the applications. The right thing was done to pause it, take a look and see what was the best thing to do.

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In response to a question from Fred Davies

“We paused this immigration program because there was too much fraud, and the department could not handle all the applications. We need time to fix it so it works for the skilled workers Canada needs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, that is a very interesting and good question. I have been transparent and clear. In fact, I was at the Toronto Club and was asked exactly that question and questions along those lines. In fact the individuals who were there asking me were all business people and people who knew about this program. They told me there was so much fraud in that particular program and that they understood why we had to pause it. We have been clear and transparent. We paused the program because we, or the department before I got there, could not control the applications coming in. Therefore, we needed to pause it and take a look at it to ensure we have a system that works for the top talent this country needs.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“Passing this bill was the right choice. The old law stopped citizenship from being passed down forever. This bill brings clear rules and control to citizenship by descent.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 49 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, the bill stopped citizenship indefinitely. The right thing to do was to pass that piece of legislation. It provided clarity, structure and control to citizenship by descent.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“The member already heard the answers to this when he was on the committee studying the bill. We will watch what happens going forward.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 48 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, I believe that the member was a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration when many people testified at that committee when the bill was going through. I believe he already had the answers at that point. Again, we will monitor what happens in the future.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“Applying for citizenship does not mean someone actually gets it. The department is watching this, and the numbers are not that high.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 49 of 100

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Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, again, as I said, applications do not necessarily mean and do not equate to people receiving citizenship. The department is monitoring that, and we are not seeing those types of numbers.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“Our record shows that we are managing immigration well. Asylum claims have dropped, and the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirms that the number of temporary residents is going down just as we promised.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, again, I believe that the record shows that we are managing migration. It shows the decrease of asylum. It shows that the temporary resident population has decreased as we said it would decrease, and the PBO has confirmed that.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“Canadian citizenship must be protected. People must follow clear rules and steps to get it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, the integrity of Canadian citizenship is paramount. There are clear, identifiable steps people have to adhere to, follow and abide by in order to even get to that step.

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