Paul Chiang

[Season's Greetings, December 16th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as the holiday season approaches, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the spirit of unity and kindness that defines our great nation.

In Markham—Unionville, we celebrate the rich diversity of our community, where people of all backgrounds come together to share and participate in the joy of the season. This is a time for family, for giving and for valuing the connections that bind us all. The holidays remind us of the importance of compassion and inclusivity. Let us carry this spirit to the new year and embrace the strength in our differences.

On behalf of the people of Markham—Unionville, I wish everyone in the House, their families and all Canadians a joyous and peaceful holiday season. To my family, my wife Monica and my children Andrew, Melissa and Ashley, I wish a merry Christmas and I hope Santa is good to all of them.

I wish a merry Christmas to all.

[Public Safety, December 10th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada continues to prioritize security at our borders and integrity within our immigration system.

I reiterate that all people applying to IRCC must meet specific requirements. All foreign nationals are screened before entering Canada. IRCC also collaborates with its partners to conduct thorough security screening. Admissibility decisions are evidence-based and are in place to identify those who might pose a threat to Canadians, while facilitating the safe travel of those who pose no risk. Canada collaborates with international partners to securely exchange immigration data and personal information of applicants. This enhances security, supports informed decisions and promotes legitimate travel.

Through the many steps taken by the government and IRCC, we will continue to protect our border and maintain a fair, well-managed immigration system.

[Public Safety, December 10th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada takes the security of our borders and the integrity of our immigration system very seriously. We have processes and measures in place to safeguard Canadians, while also ensuring that those who seek to come here are treated with dignity and respect.

As part of our risk mitigation process, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, conducts comprehensive security screening to identify those who might pose a threat to Canadians. Everyone coming to our country must meet entry and admissibility requirements. Before entering Canada, everyone is screened to ensure individuals do not pose a threat to the health, safety or security of Canadians.

This pre-screening is conducted through visa or electronic travel authorization applications. It involves verifying identity and assessing for potential risk; it can also involve the use of biographic and biometric information. We check applicants' fingerprints against a wide range of databases, including RCMP and international partner holdings, to identify potential security risks. These thorough checks help maintain the integrity of our immigration system and keep our country safe, while facilitating the safe travel of those who do not pose a risk.

Applicants flagged as potential threats are referred to, and undergo further screening by, the CBSA and CSIS. Immigration officers evaluate admissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, addressing criminality, security risks and misrepresentation. CBSA officers conduct another layer of screening upon applicants' entry into Canada. People who misrepresent themselves or use fraudulent documents, as well as those flagged in the system, can be denied entry.

All adults who claim asylum in Canada are subject to comprehensive security screening by CBSA and CSIS. Once people are admitted to Canada, security partners and law enforcement work together to manage threats within our borders. To uphold the integrity of our immigration system, we collaborate with international partners to establish agreements that enhance our shared commitment to secure and effective processes. These agreements allow for the secure exchange of immigration data and personal information of applicants to support informed decision-making and strengthen the integrity and efficiency of our immigration system.

These partners are essential in helping to make swift, reliable decisions about admissibility; enhancing security; and promoting legitimate travels. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to protect our borders and communities and to uphold a fair and well-managed immigration system. We will keep working with our partners to strengthen our system and keep our country safe.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a)(i) and (ii), between September 20, 2023 and September 30, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, or IRCC, has issued 12,298 work permits to foreign nationals performing work under an agreement or arrangement between Canada and the government of a foreign state or an international organization, other than those concerning seasonal agricultural workers. As per IRCC data release procedures, the cut-off date is put in place to allow for the preparation of complete, consistent and accurate reporting.

During this same time period, there were no work permits issued to foreign nationals with an agreement entered into by one or more countries and by or on behalf of one or more provinces.

With regard go (b) and (c), the department does not possess records relating to the American Climate Corps in the following fields: how many work permits were issued to individuals employed by the American Climate Corps and the details associated, including location of work, length of work and type of work being undertaken.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the integrity of Canada's pesticide regulatory system depends on continued reliance on robust science as prescribed by the Pest Control Products Act.

The regulatory decision by PMRA on imidacloprid was supported by data from registrants, provincial and federal governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, grower groups and open literature. This decision was open to public consultation for 120 days, which ended in March 2017, and resulted in approximately 46,000 comments.

In addition, a multi-stakeholder forum, composed of federal and provincial government agencies, grower groups, independent researchers, non-governmental organizations and manufacturers, and facilitated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, examined the use of—

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the question and the opportunity to address a matter that is important to Health Canada and to all Canadians.

I want to assure the member and all Canadians that we take our role to protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians seriously and hold our scientific processes to a high standard. PMRA scientists are professionals who use their expertise to support Health Canada's mandate when it comes to pesticides. They make decisions that are guided by rigorous scientific principles and rooted in objective scientific evidence. PMRA's scientific staff are experts in their fields and believe in the importance of their work and its impact on Canadians and the environment. Casting doubt on the integrity and independence of their work undermines their professionalism.

PMRA's work is governed by strict legislation and policies that ensure decisions are based on thorough scientific evaluation, using scientific evidence and robust data, whether from academia, industry or non-governmental organizations.

Public consultations are required on all proposed major decisions and do not compromise PMRA's decisions. In 2016, a proposal to cancel all uses of imidacloprid was shared with the public, based on various data, including from academics. This consultation generated numerous comments and new information.

In 2017, a multi-stakeholder forum was created to address data gaps and gather new water-monitoring data. Since then, substantial water-monitoring data and new scientific papers were reviewed to inform the PMRA's final decision. The analysis showed that, with additional protective measures, some uses could continue safely, while others would be cancelled.

The PMRA continues its efforts to communicate its decision transparently and accessibly, ensuring Canadians are informed about pesticide safety. It works closely with the science advisory committee on pest control products to ensure independent scientific advice supports evidence-based decisions, enhances transparency, communicates the science behind decisions and informs a rigorous approach.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the Government of Canada's latest immigration levels plan for 2025 to 2027 pauses population growth from immigration in the short term to maintain well-managed and sustainable growth for the long term. It sets targets for temporary residents for the first time ever, lowering our permanent resident program targets to reduce pressure on families and communities. The plan is expected to bring our population levels back to prepandemic projections, and it is expected to reduce the housing supply gap by approximately 670,000 units by the end of 2027.

The reality is that the leader of the official opposition has no plan for the future of Canada, and his made-up math formula on immigration just is not adding up. The only plan he has is to cut, cut and cut. While the Conservative Party focuses on slogans, we will remain focused on building a stronger, more sustainable immigration system that works for everyone. We are supporting newcomers' integration and giving them a fair shot in Canada.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, we are adapting our immigration plan to suit the needs of Canadian families and communities today. For the first time in our nation's history, we have set targets for temporary residents in our immigration levels plan. That means that all temporary resident programs, like those for international students and temporary foreign workers, will have limits, just as there are for permanent resident programs each year.

By taking these steps, we are helping to preserve the integrity of our immigration system, responding to community needs and ensuring that newcomers to Canada are set up for success, with access to adequate resources to support them.

We have also reduced our permanent resident targets. Our focus for new permanent residents will be to attract the skilled workers we need to build new homes and provide patient care, and to focus on transitioning temporary residents to permanent residents. These are workers and families who are already here, are supporting our economy, have already adjusted to life in Canada and are best positioned for success over the long term.

The latest levels plan reaffirms our commitment to reducing temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada's population by the end of 2026. These reductions are the result of a series of changes over the past year, including a cap on the number of international students and tightened eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers.

On that side of the House, the leader of the official opposition speaks from both sides of his mouth. Two years ago, during the pandemic, he said he would “remove the gatekeepers to allow faster immigration”. Just this year, he went to a community event and said we need to end deportation. He said, “We have a worker shortage in Canada. We have a demographic problem, our population is too old...we need these workers in our country.”

A few months later, the leader of the official opposition went to a different community and said the opposite. He promises different things to different people. Canadians cannot trust a word he says.

On this side of the House, we are committed to ensuring that everyone, including newcomers, has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports that they need.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, November 29th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, immigration is key to growing our economy and strengthening our communities. Canadians want a robust and sustainable immigration system that sets Canada and all who come here up for success. The levels plan is doing just that. We are reducing the number of temporary and permanent resident visas to alleviate pressure on housing and infrastructure. These measures will achieve long-term growth and ensure a well-managed, sustainable immigration system.

[Tax Relief, November 27th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start first by wishing my granddaughter a happy 15th birthday.

Canadians have faced much strife
Through challenging years in their everyday life.
Our government hears them. We are here to bring cheer.
Just last week, the Prime Minister made clear:
We are stepping up big at this time of the year.
Starting December 14, here is the decree:
Many daily goods will be tax-free.
Savings like these, where they matter most,
Give families a break they can really toast.
Yet across the aisle, there's a bitter scene;
The Conservatives sulk in a Grinch-like routine.
While we deliver joy, they just complain.
Stealing holiday hopes is their usual refrain.
But Canadians know Conservatives' hearts are too small
To support families struggling, one and all.