Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Oct. 2nd, 2025

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Thank you, Mr. Fragiskatos.

Mr. Brunelle‑Duceppe, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister, welcome to the committee and thank you for being with us.

My colleague Mr. Fragiskatos, whom I greet, asked the officials to compare the 1,095 days of presence under Bill C‑3 with the 1,095-day residency requirement for a permanent resident to be able to be naturalized.

Do you see a difference between the two? Is there one?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

No, it's the same comparison. If you want, the officials can—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

In the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, I thought that, to become a naturalized Canadian, a permanent resident had to have 1,095 non-consecutive days—

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

It's 1,095 days.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

—over a five-year period.

So there's a difference, Minister.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Yes, that's true. It's 1,095 days over—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

—over a five-year period.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

—over five years.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Does Bill C‑3 specify that it's a five-year period?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

No. In that case, it's 1,095 days.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

In 30 seconds, you gave me two different answers to a fairly simple question. Thank you, Minister.

So the 1,095 days for permanent residents to become citizens is being kept, but the five-year period is being removed. Is that right?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Yes, that's right.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Okay.

The Canadian Citizens Rights Council submitted a brief when Bill S‑245 was being studied here in committee. According to that brief, it would still be difficult to verify a 1,095-day presence in the country.

I would like to know what documentation the department will request to ensure that those 1,095 days were indeed spent on Canadian soil.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

That's a good question.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you. I only ask good questions.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Let me turn to the officials for an answer.

[Catherine Scott]

We are already in the process of implementing this practice thanks to the interim measures put in place by the department. We could require a certain number of documents, such as proof of enrolment in a university, a tax return, documents such as a Hydro-Québec bill covering a certain period, a passport. A number of elements would be considered in this analysis.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

Minister, does Canada collect data on individuals leaving the country?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

No, I don't think so, but we are working on that aspect.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

My question is simple. If someone has an electricity bill—

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Just a moment, please. My colleague wants to tell me something.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Yes.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I'm told that Canada collects that data.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

So Canada collects data on individuals exiting the country. That's news to me. When someone leaves Canada, the Canadian government is informed. Is that correct?