Lena Metlege Diab
Halifax West, Nova Scotia · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I do want to wish the colleague a very happy July and August, wherever she is with her family. Perhaps in the fall she will come back with a bit of a better spirit. We have continuously said that no one can commit a crime with impunity. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences.”
“Mr. Speaker, we all know that anyone who commits a crime in this country, regardless of their immigration status, be it Canadian or not, is treated according to the law, to the fullest extent of the law. Judges make decisions. There is absolutely nothing in the immigration law that allows for sentences to be discounted.”
“Mr. Speaker, that colleague has asked that question a number of times, and it has been answered. Let me tell him what Canadians do want to know. Canadians know that the government is focused on building a stronger economy to responsibly manage migration.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have good news. Here is what Canadians need to know. Our plan for responsible, sustainable immigration is working. The non-permanent resident population has declined. We are focused on attracting skilled talent, like health care workers, construction workers, researchers and engineers. The numbers do not lie.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have been clear. Just because someone has a Canadian ancestor, this does not mean they are automatically eligible for citizenship. They must definitively prove their link to Canada at each and every generation. Genealogy websites are not enough.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us get the facts straight. I answered four hours of questions in committee of the whole for all Canadians to hear. I was very clear in my response that IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Hon.”
The complete record
Every one of 364 lines we hold for Lena Metlege Diab, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 8.
“Mr. Speaker, the safety of Canadians and Quebeckers is our priority. Officers carefully review each refugee claim before referring it to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Ineligible claims are not referred. Under our government, the number of refugee claims has dropped by a third. With Bill C-12 , we will be able to do even more to prevent sudden surges.”
“Mr. Speaker, the figures cited by the member are projections. They are not actual figures. They are projections that do not take into account the changes made to the program or the significant improvements we are making to the asylum system in Bill C‑12 . This work is already well under way. We are reducing costs and we will protect vulnerable people.”
“Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are working hard to ensure that our system integrates asylum seekers. We have reduced asylum claims by a third. We also introduced Bill C‑12 . I want to thank my colleagues for helping us with this bill. The good news is that asylum claims are down by a third and we are making adjustments to our program to keep it sustainable. We will continue to work hard.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to point this out to the member, who I respect quite a bit; last session we were on the same committee. In 2014, it was a Conservative government, and the Supreme Court ruled that its changes were unconstitutional. It took away health care coverage for the most vulnerable, including children. This is not something we will do on this side of the House. Again, we are curbing misuse. We have introduced changes by introducing copay. Asylum claims are down by a third under the current government—”
“Mr. Speaker, to speak to the PBO report, those are projections in that report. They do not take into account the changes that would come in Bill C-12 , nor do they take into account the interim health measures that we have introduced, including copay and other provisions, so I look forward to that.”
“Mr. Speaker, to keep our program sustainable, we have made and are making measured changes to the health coverage. We have already introduced copay to the system. We are already curbing the misuse. We have introduced a lot of integrity measures. Bill C-12 is currently in front of us, and I thank the Conservatives for supporting that. That would also reduce misuse of the system. We also have international obligations that Canada will continue to honour, particularly for those who are in need, and most of them are children.”
“Mr. Speaker, I welcome the member to this important discussion. We have already introduced and made changes to the interim federal health program that will considerably reduce the costs. We are also making significant changes and have introduced Bill C-12 , which would curb the misuse of asylum. We will control costs and we will truly protect those who are vulnerable, in line with our international and humanitarian obligations.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I said, we have a clear mandate. Canadians gave us a clear mandate. We are, in fact, working to strengthen our immigration systems. The most recent data show that the temporary resident population fell by 176,000 in the fall. We will keep working to improve our economy for all Canadians and for all businesses.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, for the member's benefit, I will say that Canadians gave the government a clear mandate to bring immigration to sustainable numbers. That is exactly what we are doing. In The Globe and Mail on January 15 there was a great article. TD stats show as well that rent is decreasing and housing starts are up. There has been economic recovery. We are bringing more population to our rural communities through our rural immigration pilot as well as Francophone immigration. We are here to strengthen our communities and fill labour gaps when needed.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave the government a clear mandate to bring sustainability to our immigration system. We have been clear that we are reducing the temporary resident population. Our student numbers are down. Our worker numbers are down. The temporary resident population fell by 176,000, and our asylum numbers are down by a third. We will stick to our targets. We will enforce our rules so that our immigration system works for Canadians, for newcomers and for our businesses.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have a sustainable and strategic immigration plan. This plan aims to attract the top international talent to build a strong economy, bring top researchers to Canada, invest in foreign credential recognition and support francophone and rural communities. We will protect our borders and strengthen our immigration system with Bill C‑2 and Bill C‑12 . I encourage the opposition to support these measures.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. On Monday, as part of our international talent attraction strategy, I announced new express entry measures to attract doctors, specialists and surgeons who are ready to practice in Canada and to retain foreign doctors who are already here caring for patients in our communities. Thanks to our plan, our government is going to build a more stable health care system for all Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, I am correcting the record for that member and those who are listening. Virtual citizenship ceremonies started during the pandemic. That is correct. There are still some that are happening. However, for all new Canadians, it is still being done under a secure, fully fledged citizenship ceremony, with officials present.”
“Mr. Speaker, here are the fact: Virtual citizenship ceremonies started during the time of the pandemic. We all know that during COVID, life shifted. Even in Parliament, we now have the voting app, for example. We are always looking for opportunities to celebrate our citizenship, to bring people together, to celebrate and build the Canadian economy and make it strong. We will continue to do that.”
“Mr. Speaker, I respect that member, and I know he knows that is not correct. I know he recognizes that we have a robust system in this country and that there is no such thing as one system. We have multiple layers. When it comes to citizenship ceremonies, there is no such thing as that. There are multiple layers of defence when somebody is coming out of a port of entry, 100% of those people spend considerable time with—”
“Mr. Speaker, let me thank the colleague and member for placing her confidence in me and in the government. Let me tell you one thing: Canadians elected the government with a big mandate. We have brought in a generational budget that includes a sustainable immigration plan, one that will deal with permanent immigration as well as temporary immigration, and bring global talent. Why do the member and her party keep obstructing every single time? Get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want every Canadian and certainly every Quebecker to know that I am not focused on past squabbles. I am fully focused on ensuring that our immigration system remains strong and attracts the best talent in the world for Quebec and Canada. What is more, under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec selects its permanent immigrants.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government is focused on the future. We will reduce the number of temporary residents, give priority to economic immigration and strengthen francophone communities. I hope that the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives will support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: Foreign nationals who are convicted of a crime are inadmissible to Canada. On this side of the House, we take the safety and security of all Canadians very seriously, and we act. We work with our RCMP, policing partners and CBSA to ensure that we act in accordance with the law and with the immigration and refugee protection regulations and act.”
“Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are delivering for Canadians every day. The government's highest priority is the safety and security of Canadians. Let me be clear: A foreign national who has been convicted of a crime is inadmissible to Canada. We work with the IRB, we work with CBSA, we work with CSIS and we work with the RCMP to ensure that we deport anyone who needs to be deported.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his dedication. In 2023 and 2024, we surpassed our target for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. Today, while stabilizing the overall intake of permanent residents, we still plan to welcome over 30,000 francophones every year for the next three years by increasing the francophone immigration target. That is how we will meet our 12% target and strengthen communities everywhere.”
“Mr. Speaker, the legislation is extremely important, but it affects a minority of people in the population. For those we are trying to rectify this for, it is of significant importance. Even if we can rectify the situation for a few thousand people, that is why we are here. This is for people who have a tie to Canada, have lost their right to citizenship and whose situations were not remedied by the 2009 and 2015 legislation. Those are the ones who are crying, because they have a deep commitment to Canada. They want to become Canadians, but they also want the right to pass citizenship on to their children.”
“Mr. Speaker, Bill C-3 's approach enables individuals to show their commitment to Canada and their plans to participate in and contribute to Canadian society. Most of the applications concern children born after 2015, who are 16 years of age or under. If those children want to become Canadians, then I hope that their parents will submit the appropriate application on their behalf, and that they will come to Canada and learn both of the country's official languages.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member has a very informed question and was at the committee when I was there. I respect the manner he always presents himself and his respectful question. Again, we respect Canada's institutions. The courts are those institutions, and the fact is that this legislation would remedy what the court said was unconstitutional. If we do not do anything, it would mean that citizenship by descent would go on in perpetuity. I know no one in Parliament wants that. We believe we have introduced a reasonable limit of 1,095 days, which would give people the time to build a substantial connection to and feel part of Canada. This is important. The majority of people who would fall under this would be those who were not remedied in the 2009 legislation or the 2015 legislation, which means most of them will have been born after 2015.”
“Although he has lived in many countries, he retains his connection to Canada with regular visits. Without Bill C-3 , his children would not have the chance to inherit the citizenship and identity that shaped them. As we continue this debate, I encourage members to have an open mind and pass the bill.”
“It preserves the connection between generations of Canadians while ensuring that laws remain clear, practical and consistent. [ English ] We believe the 1,095 days is an equitable way to measure the authenticity, the relationship and the value of the parent's attempt to get citizenship for their child. [ Translation ] Language skills, knowledge tests and security checks will be maintained where they are needed in the naturalization and immigration process. [ English ] I will tell a quick story. A number of people reach out to my office. Jeff, a Greek Canadian whose grandparents became Canadian while working in the flea markets of Montreal wrote to me. His father met his mother in the 1970s, and they had Jeff in Athens. He grew up in Canada and pursued his education here, and then work opportunities took him back to Greece.”
“Citizenship and immigration results are already publicly reported through tools such as the annual report to Parliament on immigration and the departmental results report. The creation of new reporting obligations, particularly for data that Canada does not collect, such as country of residence or dual citizenship, would add unnecessary complexity and more costs for Canadians. The bill represents a thoughtful and balanced step forward when it comes to citizenship laws in Canada. [ English ] We know there is a relative consensus among the parties about the necessity to correct the injustice that is there. We believe that the bill offers that solution. [ Translation ] The bill also modernizes the application of citizenship by descent.”
“Documents, including educational transcripts, pay stubs and leases, would be reviewed by officers. If a parent cannot demonstrate the required physical presence, their child born or adopted abroad would not become Canadian, unless they immigrate here afterward through our immigration pathways, of course. (1225) [ Translation ] All of Canada's existing integrity measures also continue to apply. Passport controls, coordination among law enforcement agencies, the prosecution of extraterritorial offences and the revocation of citizenship in cases of fraud will continue to be key tools for protecting the safety of Canadians and their confidence in the citizenship system. Our government remains committed to transparency.”
“Imposing such tests on people who were born or adopted abroad beyond the first generation would create distinctions among Canadians based solely on place of birth. Canada cannot have different classes of citizens. Bill C-3 maintains an appropriate degree of separation between immigration law and citizenship law. It guarantees that citizenship at birth, whether it is determined by place or by descent, remains clear, consistent and secure. [ English ] Bill C-3 includes important safeguards to uphold both the integrity of citizenship and the security of Canada. Citizenship by descent would not operate on the honour system. The burden of proof in the act would rest squarely on the Canadian parent, who must provide evidence of their 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child is born or adopted.”
“It requires establishing a substantial connection to Canada through recent residence, knowledge of the country, capacity in one of our official languages and tests that confirm they are ready to become part of our shared civic life. Citizenship by descent is different. It is not an immigration pathway. It does not confer membership in Canada on someone new. It recognizes citizenship that existed from birth through a Canadian parent who has a real connection to Canada, either because they were born here or because they met the statutory test of physical presence in Canada. [ Translation ] We are not asking Canadians born in Canada to take tests to keep their citizenship and we are not imposing these kinds of tests on Canadians born abroad.”
“Under a fixed three-out-of-five-years framework, because of real-life experience in Canada, it would be impossible for their child to obtain citizenship. [ English ] The cumulative model would allow Canadians whose lives span borders to demonstrate their connection to Canada from birth until they start a family. It is the fairest and most practical way to uphold the value of Canadian citizenship. Importing the naturalization requirements into citizenship by descent would conflate the two distinct policy purposes and risk excluding the children of Canadians whose ties to Canada were built here over time. For immigrants to Canada, our naturalization process assesses their readiness to join the Canadian family.”
“[ Translation ] Bill C-3 is based on a cumulative model. For Canadian parents born outside Canada, this model adds up every day that a parent spent in the country before starting a family. This approach recognizes the many ways that Canadians can maintain a substantial connection to the country, even when they have to go abroad for work, school or family responsibilities. Take, for example, a Canadian child born abroad whose family moves every two years for work. This child may have lived in Canada for nearly a decade before turning 18 without ever having spent three consecutive years in the country over a five-year period. When that child grows up, they could start a family or choose to adopt abroad.”
“[ Translation ] The goal is to ensure that children of Canadians with a substantial connection to our country can obtain citizenship by descent, regardless of where they were born or adopted. [ English ] The question then is this: How do we measure the connection? For people who move to Canada and seek to become Canadian, we have a clear way to assess whether they have a substantial connection to the country, and that is laid out in the Citizenship Act; they would have to accumulate 1,095 days in a five-year period in order to apply for naturalization. However, citizenship by descent is different. It is not about granting citizenship for someone to join Canada; rather, it is about confirming citizenship at birth based on the parent's connection to Canada. For that reason, the test is different.”
“[ English ] The framework set out in the bill for citizenship by descent is straightforward. Once enacted, a Canadian parent born abroad may pass on their citizenship to a child born or adopted abroad only if that parent has at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child is born or adopted. Each generation after the first one must demonstrate their connection to Canada. If a parent does not do so, citizenship by descent stops with them. (1220) [ Translation ] I would like to point out that this bill does not seek to create a new way to immigrate to Canada. [ English ] This is not an immigration bill, nor would it allow people who are living abroad to pass on Canadian citizenship in perpetuity.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to speak to Bill C-3 . [ English ] The bill would remedy the status of people who, were it not for the first-generation limit imposed in 2009, would be Canadian citizens by descent from birth. This is largely a cohort of children who were born after 2009, which means they would be 16 years of age and younger; it also includes descendants of previously lost Canadians. It also addresses a very small historical cohort who lost citizenship under the outdated provisions of the 1977 Citizenship Act. [ Translation ] During the study in committee, members proposed and adopted several amendments to Bill C‑3. The government reviewed each of them. After doing that, we are convinced that the initial concept of Bill C‑3 brings fairness and transparency to our system and confirms the value of Canadian citizenship.”
“Mr. Speaker, allow me to clarify things a little. The purpose of the temporary foreign worker program is to allow Canadian employers to hire foreign workers when no qualified Canadian or permanent resident is available. We are still reducing the number of temporary workers. We are also going to work with the member. Our purpose is to protect Canadians, but also to protect employers and businesses that need foreign workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. I really enjoy questions that are exactly on the point we need to address here in public policy and as legislators. The government is committed to increasing trust in Canada's immigration system. We are making our borders stronger, more resilient and more responsive, and our efforts are working. Asylum claims are down by a third compared to last year, but our message is very clear: The asylum system should not be seen as a shortcut to immigrating to Canada. This is why we have the measures in Bill C-12 to strengthen the integrity of our system. Again, I ask all members of the House to work with us to ensure that we have a strong immigration system in Canada, one all Canadians are proud of.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can tell my colleague opposite that we are working with Quebec. For study permit applications in Quebec, a Quebec acceptance certificate issued by the provincial government is required. It is mandatory. The province is in the driver's seat when it comes to accepting students in its territory. Nearly 100,000 fewer new students arrived between January and July compared to 2024. We will continue to work with Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have introduced the bill to provide us with the tools we need to curb abuse and to process more quickly so case loads and costs can go down. The member knows, and the party opposite knows, we published the charter statement on Bill C-2 . The member knows that the provisions in the current Bill C-12 with respect to immigration are identical to those in Bill C-2. The immigration measures are the same. Again, on this side of the House, we know we have institutions we need to protect. We respect our institutions, and we respect the rule of law.”
“[ Translation ] Through this bill, the government would make the asylum system more efficient and responsive, strengthen collaboration with the provinces and territories and focus decisions and resources where they are most needed. [ English ] We want to be simpler, faster, fairer and more focused. These reforms would enhance public safety and security, reinforce the integrity of our programs and improve services for those who rely on them. That is the system Canadians elected us for, and that is the system we are here to ensure we have. I encourage my colleagues to support Bill C-12 .”
“For example, it could be used during a global health or security crisis, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect people's rights and due process. It would also strengthen the government's ability to pause the intake of new applications when necessary. These authorities would allow the government to act swiftly and responsibly in the public interest, protecting against safety and security threats, health risks or abuse of publicly funded programs. Let me be clear that this bill does not authorize the automatic cancellation of immigration documents, nor does it affect asylum claims or immigration status. Any use of these authorities would follow a separate evidence-based process and require a decision by the Governor in Council. In conclusion, these changes reflect the reality that we are living in in today's changing world.”
“The pandemic served to highlight the need for clearer powers to manage immigration documents in a time of crisis so that the government can act decisively while continuing to protect human rights. (1530) [ English ] At the present time, agents have the power to cancel a visa on a case-by-case basis if a person's status changes or if they become ineligible. [ Translation ] For example, this could include cases where false information was provided on an application, a criminal record was uncovered or the applicant passes away. [ English ] That authority, however, does not apply to groups of immigration documents. Bill C-12 would give Canada the ability to suspend, change or cancel multiple documents in exceptional circumstances.”
“This legislation would give our government greater flexibility to manage immigration documents and applications. It would allow us to respond quickly and responsibly in times of crisis or uncertainty, while continuing to uphold strong safeguards that protect people's rights and ensure due process. Canada's immigration system must be able to adapt to global realities and global pressures. Conflict, climate and political instability can all influence and have all influenced migration flows, and our system needs the tools to respond responsibly and effectively. [ Translation ] This bill supports Canada's broader efforts to strengthen the integrity of our immigration system by giving the government the tools it needs to respond quickly and effectively to global challenges while maintaining fairness and transparency.”
“Through federal, provincial and territorial streams, they are welcome to apply. Claims filed more than a year after claimants first arrive, starting on June 24, 2020, and those filed 14 days or more after an irregular entry would not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a decision. Those whose claims are found ineligible would be referred to the removal process, with access to a pre-removal risk assessment. Let me be clear. Those who have well-founded fears of returning to their country of origin would have access to protection. As part of Bill C-12 , our government is introducing legislation to better manage immigration documents and applications, improving efficiency and reinforcing the integrity of Canada's immigration system.”
“The one-year limit discourages those wanting to use the asylum system to extend their stay in Canada if other mechanisms fail. Canada is a generous country that values fairness, but not for those who try to bypass our laws and systems. The same principle applies to those who cross the border between ports of entry. Despite clear laws and repeated warnings, some still attempt to enter Canada from the U.S. without checking in at an official land border office. It is dangerous, it is not legal and it is not safe. There have been many tragic cases of injury and loss of life. Such routes are often linked to human smuggling and organized crime, placing individuals, often travelling with children, at even greater risk. If someone wants to come to Canada, the message is clear: They should use our existing lawful programs and pathways.”
“These measures make it clear that asylum is not a shortcut to permanent immigration. They would reduce pressure on the system so that protection can be provided more efficiently to those who truly need it. Under the legislation, the federal government would no longer refer claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a decision if claims are made more than a year after someone first arrives after June 24, 2020, or if claims are made 14 or more days after someone enters Canada from the U.S. between official border crossings. History shows us that most asylum claims are made within the first year of arrival. In the majority of cases, one year gives claimants time to consult experts, gather documents and make an informed decision.”
“When I was minister of immigration in Nova Scotia, I saw first-hand how strong partnerships help meet the needs of employers and communities, while supporting diversity and growth. The information shared by the federal government helps provinces and territories plan their programs and services more effectively. That is why I am particularly proud that the bill makes it easier to share information on immigration, citizenship and passports with our national partners. This will enable us to improve the integrity of government programs and deliver better customer service. (1525) [ English ] As we improve how information is shared, we also must modernize the asylum system to strengthen migration integrity. To protect the system from sudden surges in claims, Bill C-12 would introduce new ineligibility rules for asylum.”
“It would introduce new authorities to improve information sharing with federal, provincial and territorial partners. It would enhance how immigration documents are managed and would support a sustainable asylum system that upholds integrity, restores balance and strengthens public trust, both among Canadians and among those seeking to come to Canada. The bill would also strengthen the flexibility, efficiency and responsiveness of the asylum system by establishing new ineligibility rules, creating a more streamlined application process and focusing Canada's protection on those who need it the most. [ Translation ] As a former provincial minister of immigration, I know how essential it is for the federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together on immigration policies and programs.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to talk about the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act. Our immigration system is one of our greatest strengths. It fuels our economy, builds our communities and reflects who we are as a country. As patterns of global migration evolve, our system must also evolve. Our government is committed to managing migration in a way that is safe, orderly and fair so that Canadians and those seeking to come here can have confidence in our immigration system. For the next few minutes, I will be speaking about the four provisions that deal with my department in Bill C-12 . Bill C-12 would strengthen Canada's immigration and border system.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Bill C‑3 is our solution for lost Canadians. At the same time, we will ensure that children born or adopted abroad will be able to access citizenship if their Canadian parents, themselves born or adopted abroad, have a substantial connection to Canada. That is how we strike a balance between fairness and protecting the tremendous value of Canadian citizenship.”