This was a Committee of the Whole examination of the immigration minister’s spending plans, where Conservative members used their questions to press the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on asylum numbers, border screening, visa decisions, fraudulent immigration consultants, temporary foreign workers, and the removal of people with no legal status. The minister pointed to falling asylum claim numbers, cooperation with provinces to relocate refugees, enforcement actions including the removal of 23,000 people last year, and Bill C-12 as a measure to further reduce asylum claims. Liberal members also used some questions to highlight immigration’s economic benefits and summer jobs for youth.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .
“I want the minister to tell me what rule lets cities use federal money to buy real estate for asylum seekers.”
“Once again, Mr. Chair, there is a contribution agreement between IRCC and municipalities that receive federal funding. What is the language in the contribution agreement that gives the authority for municipalities to purchase real estate for asylum claimants? It is a very simple question. Does the minister know the answer?”
Official Hansard
Once again, Mr. Chair, there is a contribution agreement between IRCC and municipalities that receive federal funding. What is the language in the contribution agreement that gives the authority for municipalities to purchase real estate for asylum claimants? It is a very simple question. Does the minister know the answer?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“I already answered this question at committee. These agreements are public, and the member can read them.”
“Mr. Chair, I believe I answered that at one point at committee, but these agreements are public knowledge. They are public and they are viewable. I invite the member to look at them.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, I believe I answered that at one point at committee, but these agreements are public knowledge. They are public and they are viewable. I invite the member to look at them.
“How many hotels has the government bought with taxpayer money through agreements with cities? I want an answer to this question.”
“Mr. Chair, I am not sure we are going to be able to get to the bottom of this. How many hotels have been purchased with taxpayer money, through contribution agreements between IRCC and municipalities? It is a very simple question.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, I am not sure we are going to be able to get to the bottom of this. How many hotels have been purchased with taxpayer money, through contribution agreements between IRCC and municipalities? It is a very simple question.
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“The federal government does not rent hotel rooms anymore. Instead, we give money to cities to help them pay for temporary housing and shelters.”
“Again, Mr. Chair, the federal government is no longer in the hotel business. We provide funding to municipalities in order to reduce pressure on them. They call them reception centres or transitional housing.”
Official Hansard
Again, Mr. Chair, the federal government is no longer in the hotel business. We provide funding to municipalities in order to reduce pressure on them. They call them reception centres or transitional housing.
“The minister will not give me a straight answer. We know the city of Ottawa spent over $40 million to buy property for asylum seekers. I want the minister to tell me what happens to this property, and who gets the money when the city sells it.”
“Mr. Chair, I am not going to get a straight answer, for whatever reason. It does not seem like a difficult question. In these contribution agreements, she will not verify that there is language that allows municipalities to purchase real estate, but we know that they have purchased real estate because it has been all over the news, including the fact that the City of Ottawa spent over $40 million purchasing real estate for asylum claimants. Let me ask the minister this. What happens to the real estate? Who gets the proceeds when the city sells this real estate?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, I am not going to get a straight answer, for whatever reason. It does not seem like a difficult question. In these contribution agreements, she will not verify that there is language that allows municipalities to purchase real estate, but we know that they have purchased real estate because it has been all over the news, including the fact that the City of Ottawa spent over $40 million purchasing real estate for asylum claimants. Let me ask the minister this. What happens to the real estate? Who gets the proceeds when the city sells this real estate?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“We give funding based on need and value. We are helping cities support asylum seekers so they do not end up on the street, and we are working to lower the number of claimants.”
“Mr. Chair, I do not know what the issue is with the member, except to say that these funding decisions are based on need, on expected results and on value for money. Would he like the municipalities to entertain people on the streets? The federal government is helping municipalities with the asylum claimants. The number of asylum claimants is reduced. We brought in Bill C-12. There are lots of measures that—”
Mr. Chair, I do not know what the issue is with the member, except to say that these funding decisions are based on need, on expected results and on value for money. Would he like the municipalities to entertain people on the streets? The federal government is helping municipalities with the asylum claimants. The number of asylum claimants is reduced. We brought in Bill C-12. There are lots of measures that—
“The minister said there is no evidence that French is declining in Quebec or Canada. I want to know if she still stands by that answer.”
“Mr. Chair, a few minutes ago, I asked the minister if she acknowledged the evidence that French is declining in Quebec. With all her advisers around her, the minister replied that there is no evidence that French is declining in Quebec or in Canada. Does the minister wish to stand by that answer?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, a few minutes ago, I asked the minister if she acknowledged the evidence that French is declining in Quebec. With all her advisers around her, the minister replied that there is no evidence that French is declining in Quebec or in Canada. Does the minister wish to stand by that answer?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“The French language is essential to Canada. We will work with the other parties to create policies that protect it.”
“Mr. Chair, the French language is fundamental to Canada. I agree with that. We are going to work harder with all the respective parties and come up with policies to ensure that the French language is very important.”
Mr. Chair, the French language is fundamental to Canada. I agree with that. We are going to work harder with all the respective parties and come up with policies to ensure that the French language is very important.
“Reports show that the share of French speakers in Quebec has been dropping since 2021, mostly because of immigration. It is expected to drop another 10% by 2036. Does the minister agree this is happening?”
“Mr. Chair, according to reports by Radio-Canada, Le Devoir, and La Presse, French in Quebec has been in demographic decline since 2021, particularly with regard to immigration. The percentage of native French speakers is projected to drop by 10% by 2036. Does the minister acknowledge that?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, according to reports by Radio-Canada, Le Devoir, and La Presse, French in Quebec has been in demographic decline since 2021, particularly with regard to immigration. The percentage of native French speakers is projected to drop by 10% by 2036. Does the minister acknowledge that?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
Linked statement
“We are working closely with Quebec. But Quebec chooses its own immigration numbers.”
“Mr. Chair, we are working closely with the Province of Quebec and with the minister responsible for francization, but I think that the member knows that Quebec sets its own economic immigration threshold.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, we are working closely with the Province of Quebec and with the minister responsible for francization, but I think that the member knows that Quebec sets its own economic immigration threshold.
“Only 58 percent of people in Montreal speak French as their main language. Does the minister agree that the French language is declining in Quebec?”
“Mr. Chair, another very interesting fact is that in Montreal, only 58% of the population uses French as their primary language. That statistic is from five years ago. Does the minister acknowledge that French is in decline in Quebec?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, another very interesting fact is that in Montreal, only 58% of the population uses French as their primary language. That statistic is from five years ago. Does the minister acknowledge that French is in decline in Quebec?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“French is very important. That is why we are focusing on bringing French-speaking immigrants to all of Canada, not just Quebec.”
“Mr. Chair, as I have said before, French is very important. That is why we are focusing on francophone immigration. It is not just important for Quebec. It is important for the entire country.”
Mr. Chair, as I have said before, French is very important. That is why we are focusing on francophone immigration. It is not just important for Quebec. It is important for the entire country.
“Quebec has too many temporary residents, and it is straining daycares, schools, and hospitals. I want the minister to tell us when the government will limit these numbers so our systems can handle them.”
“Mr. Chair, before coming to tonight’s debate, I asked people to send me their questions, knowing that I would be meeting the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Here is a question based on a message from Sonia Brisebois. On January 1, 2025, Quebec had 616,000 non-permanent residents. This includes asylum seekers, refugees, temporary workers and international students. This puts pressure on day care centres, schools and our health care system. How many will there need to be before the minister admits that the system has collapsed and that we are no longer able to provide proper care to Quebeckers and Canadians? Basically, at what point do we turn off the tap so we can take care of people properly?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, before coming to tonight’s debate, I asked people to send me their questions, knowing that I would be meeting the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Here is a question based on a message from Sonia Brisebois. On January 1, 2025, Quebec had 616,000 non-permanent residents. This includes asylum seekers, refugees, temporary workers and international students. This puts pressure on day care centres, schools and our health care system. How many will there need to be before the minister admits that the system has collapsed and that we are no longer able to provide proper care to Quebeckers and Canadians? Basically, at what point do we turn off the tap so we can take care of people properly?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“Quebec has an important role in immigration. Quebec gets to decide on newcomers who have not arrived yet, and newcomers also get to choose where they want to live. I am proud to work with the province.”
“Mr. Chair, we recognize the role played by Quebec. We also recognize that Quebec plays an important role in immigration. When it comes to people who have not yet immigrated, it is up to Quebec to decide, and it is also up to the individuals themselves to decide where they want to live. I am very proud that we are working with the Province of Quebec. It is also a really nice place to visit.”
Mr. Chair, we recognize the role played by Quebec. We also recognize that Quebec plays an important role in immigration. When it comes to people who have not yet immigrated, it is up to Quebec to decide, and it is also up to the individuals themselves to decide where they want to live. I am very proud that we are working with the Province of Quebec. It is also a really nice place to visit.
“Free health care for asylum seekers will cost 1.5 billion dollars a year by 2030, even for people who were told they cannot stay. I want to know if the minister thinks it is fair to spend that much money on non-citizens when Canadians cannot find a doctor.”
“Mr. Chair, the Parliamentary Budget Officer forecasts that the interim federal health program, which provides free health care to asylum seekers even when their application to remain in the country, on our territory, is refused, will reach an annual budget of $1.5 billion by 2029–2030. Does the minister think it is acceptable to spend $1.5 billion a year on services for non-residents, when citizens are not even able to see a doctor?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, the Parliamentary Budget Officer forecasts that the interim federal health program, which provides free health care to asylum seekers even when their application to remain in the country, on our territory, is refused, will reach an annual budget of $1.5 billion by 2029–2030. Does the minister think it is acceptable to spend $1.5 billion a year on services for non-residents, when citizens are not even able to see a doctor?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“I have answered this question many times. Quebec got over $1.1 billion to cover these costs. Also, the number of refugee claims has dropped by 71%.”
“Mr. Chair, I have already answered this question several times in English, but I can also answer it in French. Quebec has received over $1.1 billion to cover these costs. Furthermore, the number of refugee claims has fallen by 71%.”
Mr. Chair, I have already answered this question several times in English, but I can also answer it in French. Quebec has received over $1.1 billion to cover these costs. Furthermore, the number of refugee claims has fallen by 71%.
“Does the government still want Canada to be a country with no identity, no history, and no values?”
“Mr. Chair, do the minister and her government still intend to make Canada a postnational state, like the former prime minister and all the ministers who are still here wanted? Do they still want a country with no identity, no history and no values?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, do the minister and her government still intend to make Canada a postnational state, like the former prime minister and all the ministers who are still here wanted? Do they still want a country with no identity, no history and no values?
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Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“Protecting the French language and every province, including Quebec, is very important to me and to the Liberals. I hope everyone here feels the same way.”
“Mr. Chair, as I said, protecting the French language and protecting all of our provinces, including Quebec, are very important to me, to the Liberal Party and to all members here. I hope the same is true for all members of the House of Commons.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, as I said, protecting the French language and protecting all of our provinces, including Quebec, are very important to me, to the Liberal Party and to all members here. I hope the same is true for all members of the House of Commons.
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Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
LiberalLib
“Immigration helps our economy and brings needed workers to Canada, including doctors, nurses, and skilled tradespeople. I want the minister to explain how the government's spending plan and immigration policies support our economy.”
“Mr. Chair, it is always an honour to address the House of Commons, particularly on the matter of immigration as parliamentary secretary responsible for immigration. We have a discussion tonight that has unfolded, and unfolded sometimes in unfortunate ways. The issue has been politicized over the past few years. Regardless, we have an opportunity now to seize the moment and be serious about a fundamental pillar of Canadian society and the Canadian economy. What is true for Canada, of course, is true for democracies around the world. We are engaged in a global competition for talent. How could we not be? I used the term “pillar” before. The immigration system has always served as a pillar of our country. When we look at those fundamental aspects that Canadians care about in the present and in the future, we look to the health care system first and foremost. Mr. Chair, you and I come from southwestern Ontario. We know the importance of nursing in our area. We know the importance of doctors in our area. You are from Stratford, and the surrounding communities have often lacked family doctors. The immigration system can help with that. The immigration system can help to secure nurses as well. In fact, 25% of nurses in Canada are immigrants, 37% of doctors are immigrants and 25% of overall health care workers in this country are immigrants. When we hear the minister tonight talk about pathways that have been made available to immigrants to settle in Canada to engage and work in the health care system, particularly doctors, she focuses on the right things. This government will stay seized with that. What about the trades? This country is seeing playing out, on a global level, a rupture. The Prime Minister rightly described it as such at Davos in that landmark speech. This is a rupture that is happening across the world. We need to build this country up to address that and to ensure that we export our resources with a focus on oil, a focus on critical minerals and the list goes on. We have to ensure, beyond sourcing domestic apprentices, which are so tremendously important, of course, that skilled tradespeople can come, and the immigration system has always served to benefit this country in that regard. We can think about Portuguese immigrants, Italian immigrants, and I will not let down my ancestors here, Greek immigrants as well, working in the skilled trades. I could cite many other examples of celebrated heritage communities in our country that have made such an important contribution, and the future is bright in that regard. We have a Prime Minister and a government that is absolutely focused on the economy and recognizing fundamentally the natural tie that exists between the immigration system and the economic system. Immigration policy is economic policy. We cannot divorce ourselves from that reality. What about clean energy? What I just said about skilled trades aligns with that as well. We have seen the government pursue a number of initiatives. Just this week, we see the deal that has been set with the German government in terms of LNG. We will see much more work done on this in a variety of ways to advance that important priority. We are going to need skilled tradespeople in that area as well, and the immigration system provides an answer to that. On advanced manufacturing, our region, and Mr. Chair, we come from southwestern Ontario, is going through a very troubling time right now. We should not hide from that fact. The trade war that we never asked for, but has been put upon us, is a very real one, and so advanced manufacturing needs to continue to be a focus. Once we see, hopefully, the page turn, and the American government and the Canadian government come to an agreement that serves this country’s interests, we can see a better future for advanced manufacturing. The immigration system can help in that regard as well. My question to the minister is on how the main estimates and how her overall approach, and this government’s approach, help to serve the immigration system and the economy. If she could talk specifically about the inextricable link between the two, I would appreciate it.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Chair, it is always an honour to address the House of Commons, particularly on the matter of immigration as parliamentary secretary responsible for immigration. We have a discussion tonight that has unfolded, and unfolded sometimes in unfortunate ways. The issue has been politicized over the past few years. Regardless, we have an opportunity now to seize the moment and be serious about a fundamental pillar of Canadian society and the Canadian economy. What is true for Canada, of course, is true for democracies around the world. We are engaged in a global competition for talent. How could we not be? I used the term “pillar” before. The immigration system has always served as a pillar of our country. When we look at those fundamental aspects that Canadians care about in the present and in the future, we look to the health care system first and foremost. Mr. Chair, you and I come from southwestern Ontario. We know the importance of nursing in our area. We know the importance of doctors in our area. You are from Stratford, and the surrounding communities have often lacked family doctors. The immigration system can help with that. The immigration system can help to secure nurses as well. In fact, 25% of nurses in Canada are immigrants, 37% of doctors are immigrants and 25% of overall health care workers in this country are immigrants. When we hear the minister tonight talk about pathways that have been made available to immigrants to settle in Canada to engage and work in the health care system, particularly doctors, she focuses on the right things. This government will stay seized with that. What about the trades? This country is seeing playing out, on a global level, a rupture. The Prime Minister rightly described it as such at Davos in that landmark speech. This is a rupture that is happening across the world. We need to build this country up to address that and to ensure that we export our resources with a focus on oil, a focus on critical minerals and the list goes on. We have to ensure, beyond sourcing domestic apprentices, which are so tremendously important, of course, that skilled tradespeople can come, and the immigration system has always served to benefit this country in that regard. We can think about Portuguese immigrants, Italian immigrants, and I will not let down my ancestors here, Greek immigrants as well, working in the skilled trades. I could cite many other examples of celebrated heritage communities in our country that have made such an important contribution, and the future is bright in that regard. We have a Prime Minister and a government that is absolutely focused on the economy and recognizing fundamentally the natural tie that exists between the immigration system and the economic system. Immigration policy is economic policy. We cannot divorce ourselves from that reality. What about clean energy? What I just said about skilled trades aligns with that as well. We have seen the government pursue a number of initiatives. Just this week, we see the deal that has been set with the German government in terms of LNG. We will see much more work done on this in a variety of ways to advance that important priority. We are going to need skilled tradespeople in that area as well, and the immigration system provides an answer to that. On advanced manufacturing, our region, and Mr. Chair, we come from southwestern Ontario, is going through a very troubling time right now. We should not hide from that fact. The trade war that we never asked for, but has been put upon us, is a very real one, and so advanced manufacturing needs to continue to be a focus. Once we see, hopefully, the page turn, and the American government and the Canadian government come to an agreement that serves this country’s interests, we can see a better future for advanced manufacturing. The immigration system can help in that regard as well. My question to the minister is on how the main estimates and how her overall approach, and this government’s approach, help to serve the immigration system and the economy. If she could talk specifically about the inextricable link between the two, I would appreciate it.
