MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 261 statements translated

Diab rarely gives a clear yes or no answer and frequently dodges around questions in the House, filling time with slogans about 'protecting Canadians' and the government's plans. She openly says she won't answer specific questions if they're 'traps' or demands she doesn't like, and often pretends not to understand the real point. When she does give concrete numbers, they're usually self-flattering stats or promises of deportations she claims will happen eventually.

Government Orders

Business of Supply

2026-05-28

“I want to look like I'm answering the question without giving a real answer. I'll say youth jobs are important, then fill time talking about a government program that spends money in every riding.”

“Thanks for reminding me to speak to immigrants in Quebec. I want Canada to keep bringing in more and more people from around the world. There are many challenges but we will keep spending and coordinating to keep this going.”

Official Hansard

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.

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“I will thank the other politician to look good. Then I will say we are helping people from Hong Kong. Our program brought many Hong Kong people to Canada. They can come to study and work. But now it is very slow to get permanent residence. We only let a few people in each year. I am open about the long wait. Many people must wait for years. They might be able to come in other ways, like the provincial program. I met two people who did that and they are working in Nova Scotia now. They are happy.”

Official Hansard

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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“I don't like that. I think its very bad. I want to protect Canadians.”

“I want to look like I care about public safety. I think the other party is obstructing. I want people to think I'm doing a good job.”

“You raise a real case, but I'll ignore it and repeat talking points instead. We deport many people. I assure you the law doesn't allow discounts. Sentences must be proportionate.”

“There are consequences for serious crimes. CBSA investigates. There's a process. Then they get deported.”

“I don't like that you're bringing this up. That bill would have made a real difference. Instead I'll just say there are already laws and processes for removing criminals. CBSA investigates, but I won't make any concrete promises about deporting this strangler.”

“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”

“I'm dodging your real question by just saying 'serious consequences'. If I don't mention a concrete action I can't be pinned down later.”

“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”

“I want to look good by saying a big number. I hope you don't ask if that number is enough.”

“I want to look like I'm being tough on crime.”

“If he's here and did something wrong, the border agency will look into it. Otherwise, it's a job for the local police and courts.”

“That's not in our rules. We take it all seriously. The border agency deports people when they have to.”

“I don't want to answer the question. Let me just repeat that crime is bad.”

“That's fine. After any sentence, we'll deport him. It's handled.”

“I want to look like I care about public safety. It's the courts' problem, not mine.”

“I want to look like I'm answering your question without actually giving you a direct answer or any specific information about this case.”

“I need to make it look like I'm doing something about crime. I don't want anyone to think the minister screwed up.”