Debates of June 9th, 2025

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26

[Grant Jackson, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Chair, the minister is confirming, on the record, that none of the 10,000 students who received flagged fraudulent acceptance letters came to Canada last year.

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

Mr. Chair, what I have said and will say again is that we have implemented stronger integrity to prevent students from being taken advantage of. We have also clarified that programs delivered through—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member has a final question.

[Grant Jackson, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Chair, how many fraudulent study permits have been identified in 2025?

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

Mr. Chair, we have a robust system, but it is not a 100% tool to prevent fraud, which is why we are working to secure and protect our system.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, the Liberals' #WelcomeToCanada and open borders have led to the highest asylum claims in our country. How many asylum claims are pending right now?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Chair, we have introduced Bill C-2 to ensure that we protect our integrity on the borders and—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, that was not the question.

The question was how many asylum claims are pending right now. What is in the inventory?

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

Mr. Chair, between January and April 30, which is the first quarter of 2025, I can say that total asylum claims across Canada had fallen by 36%.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, what is the number?

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

Mr. Chair, the asylum numbers have—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, let me do the minister's job for her. The number is 281,000 as of March 31. That is a record. Can the minister tell me what the average time is to process this claim?

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

Mr. Chair, I met with the IRB chair and board, and they have advised me that they are working on their time—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, these are basic questions. How long does it take to process an asylum claim in our country? I would like just the amount of time.

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

Mr. Chair, it takes between 14 and 18 months.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, that number is way off. This number is right from her ministry. It is about four years to process the claim.

In the four years to process a refugee claim, the Government of Canada provides a work permit, health care, legal fees, housing, dental care, eye care and prescriptions. Is that true, yes or no?

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

Mr. Chair, again, as of today, the average time to process these claims is 14 to 18 months.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, that was not the question. The question was this: Are these services provided to asylum seekers while they are waiting for their cases to be heard?

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

Mr. Chair, as I referenced in my opening remarks, when we talked about our estimates, we have interim housing supports. We also have—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Chair, what is the average cost per refugee per year?

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

Mr. Chair, we will get that information before we leave today, but again, as I said to the member—