CIMM Committee Report

Supplementary Report by the New Democratic Party

At the outset, it is important to note that parties wishing to offer additional opinions that deviated from the majority of the government members on CIMM were given less than 24 hours to produce a supplemental or dissenting report.  As such, it is under such time constraints that this report has been reproduced.

M-39 states:

That the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration be instructed to undertake a study on immigration to Atlantic Canada, to consider, among other things, (i) the challenges associated with an aging population and shrinking population base, (ii) retention of current residents and the challenges of retaining new immigrants, (iii) possible recommendations on how to increase immigration to the region, (iv) analysis of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot initiatives associated with the Atlantic Growth Strategy; and that the Committee report its findings to the House within one year of the adoption of this motion.

The member of Fundy Royal, the mover of the motion, has touched on something important with the scope of motion. That is, increasing the economic and social wellbeing of Atlantic Canada is not possible simply by just sending people there. It requires a holistic approach that examines how situations are interacting with each other, and comprehensive solutions.

As the motion states, it’s not just about sending more newcomers to the Atlantic region, it’s about building the region up so that more people will not only go there, but stay there and thrive.

The NDP has been clear about our support to take a holistic approach to both retain those born in the region and to attract newcomers to Atlantic Canada, and to Canada as a whole to address economic and demographic challenges Canada is currently and expected to face.

As well, New Democrats have also been clear from the outset of this study that to address the challenges of the aging demographics and shrinking population of the Atlantic Provinces means more than just enhancing the temporary foreign workers program to Atlantic Canada.  New Democrats believe that the immigration system is about nation building. It is based on the principle that if you are good enough to work/study here, you are good enough to stay.  As well, we must also recognize that the freedom of mobility means that every Canadian and permanent residents of Canada has the right to “...to move to and take up residence in any province; and to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.”[i] Therefore, in order to tackle the challenges of attracting and retaining newcomers who immigrate to the Atlantic Provinces, we must be willing to adopt a bold and comprehensive approach.

It is the opinion of New Democrats that the government majority at CIMM failed to look at the broader picture facing the Atlantic region and lacked the courage to make the necessary recommendations that may not necessary align with the existing government policies and direction.

The areas in which bold action are required include:

1. Increasing immigration levels plan numbers
2. Retaining newcomers to Atlantic Canada
3. Transition from a reliance on the temporary to the welcoming permanency. 

Increasing Immigration to Atlantic Canada

The Canadian population is aging and this phenomenon is more acute in the Atlantic region. Statistics Canada demographer Laurent Martel explained to the Committee that, “In Atlantic Canada, for example, there might be greater challenges than elsewhere relating to the labour force and care and services for seniors, who will account for a larger share of the population than elsewhere.”[ii]                    

Part of the driver of this is that in the Atlantic region, deaths have now outnumbered births on an annual basis. Mr. Martel explained just how significant this is for the region:

“In the Atlantic provinces, it’s happening for the first time in Canadian history. That’s a very important aspect, which means that for the first time, deaths are now outnumbering births and the trend, or the gap, will increase in coming y ears.”[iii]

Low fertility rates, elevated death rates, and an increasingly aging population means that Atlantic Canada will require other sources to stabilize and growth its population. Immigration will therefore provide an important piece of the overall solution.

These issues are established facts. Additionally, while the Atlantic region is experiencing this situation more acutely than other areas, this is a national issue. As such, it is the opinion of New Democrats that while pilot programs are welcomed in order to test out ideas and new approaches, ultimately whether the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a resounding success or not, the acute demographic issues facing the Atlantic region cannot be meaningfully addressed by this pilot alone, and acting now is important. As well, we must be mindful that actions taken to support the growth of newcomers to the Atlantic do not unduly or inadvertently negatively impact the rest of the country.

The President and CEO of W.M Fares Group, Mr. Wadih Fares supported the notion of increased immigration and advocated specifically for this do be done through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), stating “I definitely believe that we should increase the number of immigrants allowed to come into Nova Scotia under the nominee program. We always call for the cap to be lifted…”[iv]                    

Ms. Gerry Mills immediately echoed this call, citing the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia’s 2020 Vision, which, “calls for a significant increase in immigration numbers.”[v]

As well, the Hon. Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick, current Deputy Chair of Corporate Office TD Bank Group, in response to questions regarding increase in immigration levels stated: “…I think increased immigration would be good for our country.”[vi]                    

Finally, Mr. Finn Poschmann, President and CEO of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council stated, “It’s only in recent years that the Atlantic Provinces have woken up to the need for immigration. It’s good to see some improvement, but we have a very long way to go. Ramping up to 450,000 nationally in the short term would be a challenge, but if we could do it that would be great.”[vii]

New Democrats therefore recommend that the government:

• 1);  Increase the annual immigration levels plan with a clear plan to reach 450,000 annually over 5 years

Canada’s immigration levels plans provide a framework of targets for all classes of immigration. The predominant focus on Canada’s immigration system for some time has been on economic classes. However, the Committee heard from witnesses the importance keeping families together as it relates to retention.

Mr. Umit Kiziltan, Director General, Research and Evaluation, Department of Citizenship and Immigration stated, “Family class will have a much higher retention rate ranging between 85% and 74%.”[viii]

Ms. Mills suggested that family was one of the three key components to keep newcomers in Atlantic Canada. “If they have family there, that’s going to attract them there and keep them there.”[ix]

It is also important to recognize that family-class immigrants are often of working age, or will eventually become working age, and are therefore going to be able to contribute to the economy and the community. Being a family class immigrant does not mean you aren’t an economically beneficial newcomer.  Dr. Yoko Yoshida, Associate Professor of sociology at Dalhousie University, provided the Committee with information on the positive impacts of family class immigrants on the Atlantic economy, stating:

“The story is slightly different for recent family-sponsored spouses and partners. They have better employment outcomes in Atlantic Canada compared to the national average. This happens all across the Atlantic Provinces. They also have higher earnings than the Canadian national average in equivalent categories.”[x]

With this in mind, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 2)  Dedicate a larger percentage of immigration levels toward family reunification streams

Further to Canada’s immigration levels, humanitarian obligations such as the resettlement of refugees are planned for. Ms. Mills spoke to successes the Atlantic region has had in the resettlement of refugees, primarily through the Syrian refugee initiative.

“Refugees are just PRs [permanent residents] who came through a different immigration stream. They’re having a significant impact on our communities right across the Atlantic, and ISANS is an organization supporting increased numbers of refugees, both government assisted and private sponsorships. We know that means increased investment up front, but immigration needs a long-term vision. We’re growing a province, and we’re growing our communities, not just responding to labour market shortages. If we want to increase the number of immigrant into our province, we need to look at all immigration streams.”[xi]

Provinces in Atlantic Canada stepped up in a very large way during the Syrian initiative. Nova Scotia for example highlighted Canada’s humanitarian spirit, as Mr. Fares explained, “Nova Scotia welcomed over 1,500 Syrian refugees… This is a significant increase compared with previous years in which our province typically resettled only about 200 refugees.”[xii] This was equally true with New Brunswick, as Mr. Kiziltan explained to the Committee that, “In 2016, we had 1,680 resettled refugees.”[xiii]

New Democrats have stated since the Syrian refugee initiative began winding down that scaling back on refugee resettlement too much, especially regarding private sponsorships (PSRs) would squander the outpouring of humanitarian effort undertaken by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. With this in mind, and with the increased capacity for resettlement that the Atlantic region built up during the Syrian refugee initiative, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 3)  Increase refugee resettlement to the Atlantic region

Finally, regarding increasing overall immigration levels, it was brought to the Committee’s attention on several occasions that newcomers of all skill levels were needed to create a more sustainable and prosperous Atlantic Canada. Increasingly, for what is considered ‘low-skill’ work, employers have been turning to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP), as often newcomers who fill these positions lack the points under the current iteration of the Express Entry (EE) system, which favours higher-skilled applicants. While some provinces both within and outside the Atlantic region have undertaken initiatives to utilize the PNP to address EE’s shortcomings in this respect, it was clear leadership at the federal level on this is required.

Ms. Juanita Ford, Manager, Workforce and Industry Development, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador pointed to the tourism industry as an example. “In 2016, research conducted by Tourism HR Canada and the Conference Board of Canada projected that by 2035 potential labour shortages in the tourism sector in Newfoundland and Labrador could reach 15.2%, leaving over 3,000 jobs unfilled.” She went on to say, “We know that if nothing is done to increase labour supply, the shortfall in revenue to the tourism sector in Canada by 2035 will be an estimated $27.5 billion.”[xiv]

Ms. Natasha Clark, International Student Advisor at Memorial University of Newfoundland explained the impact that EE has had on the former Canada Experience Class (CEC) and international students hoping to make Atlantic Canada their permanent home. “When the Canadian Experience Class was introduced, it existed outside express entry. Then with the addition of express entry and the requirement that an applicant have more than 480 points to get in, it was really difficult.”[xv]

In order to address the broader economic needs of the Atlantic region, and Canada nationally, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 4)  Re-establish the Canada Experience Class for all skill levels

Former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship the Hon. John McCallum often stated that international students were a group that was a particular target of the Canadian government, and for good reason. International students spend years in Canada living, working, and studying. They learn, or already know the language. They are young. Upon completion of their studies, they have Canadian credentials. 

While the government increased the points available through EE for international students, the increase was marginal at best and has not meaningfully impacted the ability for international students to stay in Canada after graduation. Additionally, while some provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador have made a concentrated effort to ensure post-secondary education is accessible and affordable – including for international students, in most provinces international students pay very high tuition and ancillary fees. This often leads to high levels of student debt which can make it difficult for international students to remain in Canada or take entrepreneurial risks. As well, it makes it more difficult for international students to come to Canada in the first place.

Ms. Sofia Descalzi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students for Newfoundland and Labrador stated,

“At the provincial level, we must end discriminatory practices in overseas recruitment, tuition fees, public health care coverage, and employment standards. If we treat international students with respect, and not as cash cows for budget cuts, they can help Atlantic Canada meet the challenges of our aging society.”[xvi]

Ms. Clark spoke to difficulties international students have qualifying through the EE system, stating, “I also feel that it’s insufficient. The changes certainly have helped, but they don’t go far enough towards helping international student and more pathways for permanent residency are needed.”[xvii]                      

New Democrats are strong supporters of affordable and accessible post-secondary education for all students. New Democrats also agree with the former Minister that international students are uniquely situated to be ideal newcomers to Canada, and support measures to make that transition smoother. Therefore, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 5) Provide clearer and more accessible pathways to permanence for international students

and

• 6)  Modify the Canada Experience Class to include all occupations and to count the work that students undertake while studying as Canadian experience

Retaining Newcomers in the Atlantic Region:

As stated in the introduction, it doesn’t matter how many people you bring to a region, you need to give them a reason to stay. This will require above and beyond investments by the federal government to put the supports and opportunities in place for newcomers to succeed in Atlantic Canada and want to stay. Dr. Roxanne Reeves from the University of New Brunswick highlighted the more rural area nature of the province as making retention more difficult.[xviii] The highlighting the rural nature of much of the region, was underscored by other witnesses. It was clear that additional supports are required to help retain newcomers in rural areas, and that these additional supports must be accessible to those rural areas.

New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 7) Ensure that there are resettlement services earmarked for rural areas 

As retention is an issue, it is important that this earmarking of resettlement service funding to rural areas does not negatively impact overall resettlement services funding for the region. Additionally, it needs to be noted that this study is about increasing newcomers to the region, and increasing the rate at which they stay. Improving these two aspects will require an improvement in funding from the status-quo. Therefore, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 8) Increase funding from the government of Canada for resettlement services in the region

Mr. Karl Flecker, immigration Employment Specialist, noted the importance of not just the pre-arrival and arrival services, but also of the aspects of community that allow newcomers to settle, feel welcome, and make their new place their home. Many witnesses referred to this as ‘social infrastructure’ and Mr. Flecker stressed its importance,

“The second point is to have those kinds of infrastructure in the community, the social, cultural, political infrastructure that helps people feel welcome. I’m talking about everything from the food, fashion, fun festivals that allow people to dance in ethno cultural racial garb and sample different foods, but something also a bit more sophisticated than that, that shows genuine appreciation for different people’s cultures and experiences.”[xix]

New Democrats are strong supporters of Canada’s multicultural fabric and therefore strongly support improving this social infrastructure both to attract and retain newcomers in Atlantic Canada, and to highlight our multicultural society. Therefore, New Democrats recommend the government:

• 9) Increase funding to provide additional newcomer infrastructure projects in the area

An aspect of resettlement services that is often overlooked is access to childcare. A lack of accessible, affordable childcare in resettlement services predominantly impacts newcomer women and their ability to successfully integrate into society. Professor James McDonald on childcare and other supports specifically in the rural areas said, “if there isn’t the steady ongoing employment prospects for themselves and their families, and the social networks and the support networks, they’re not going to stay.”[xx]                    

With this in mind with increasing resettlement services funding, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 10) Increase language training funding for new arrivals and ensure that there is accessible, affordable childcare for families

Given the current demographic and economic trends, it is the opinion of New Democrats that analyzing the impacts, successes, and missteps of the AIP upon its completion before taking additional measures or changing course does not fully acknowledge the need for action. The Atlantic region requires a flexible and versatile approach that should allow for communities and organizations to collaborate with government to adjust the course as needed to ensure the AIP is a success.

Therefore, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 11)  Undertake an interim review of the AIP to determine if and what needs to be changed or improved on; and for this review to be completed and made public by September 2018. 

Transition from a reliance on the temporary to the welcoming permanency:

Throughout this study, there has been significant debate around the temporary foreign workers program (TFWP). The TFWP has always been a controversial program and a range of opinions was expressed on the level of need, the lack of pathways to permanence, and the impact the growing reliance on this program has on the Atlantic economy and the broader Canadian economy. Mr. Flecker stated quite clearly,

“On the temporary foreign worker, this has been a disastrous program dating back to 2006 and then just shy of 10 years of ramping up the program with inadequate compliance, monitoring and enforcement measures. Getting to your question, we now have a situation where the government has issued 635,000 temporary work permits under the two streams of the program. It far outstrips the number of permanent residents we accept, and yet 22% of the people who are on temporary foreign work permits actually gravitate toward PR status. You can’t help but look at this and say something awry.”[xxi]

New Democrats have long held the position that if someone is good enough to work or study here, they should be good enough to stay here if they so choose. These sentiments were echoed by a number of witnesses appearing before the Committee. Mr. Vaughn Hatcher of Day and Ross Transport stated in response to a question if it would be beneficial for the Atlantic provinces and for his businesses if the government were to look at revamping its immigration policy so that, when these temporary foreign workers come to Canada, right off the top they come as permanent residents stated:

“Oh, it would most definitely be beneficial to a company like Day and Ross Transport. That would mean that a foreign worker coming in or a foreign worker who has permanent residency could start his own business right away and be an owner-operator for us. That would be an ideal situation for Day and Ross Transport.”  Mr. Vaughn Hatcher further explained that: “The revenue that an owner-operator generates would be a phenomenal amount of money for some of these foreign workers who are coming in. It's one of the better-paying jobs that someone can get in Atlantic Canada. We're more than happy to bring in as many permanent residents as we can right off the bat.”[xxii]

Similarly, Mr. Luc Erjavec of Restaurants Canada, in response to the same question stated: “Oh, absolutely. It's a pathway to citizenship. We want the people to come to our communities and work in our communities and —stay in our communities. We want their families. Bill has families who have been reunited. They love it. We have a great country and a great region.”[xxiii]           

Given that the focus of this study is on increasing immigration to, and newcomer retention in, Atlantic Canada, New Democrats recommend that the government:

• 12)  Ensure that Canada’s immigration policy reflect the principle that if you are good enough to work, you are good enough to stay – by shifting immigration policy away from a reliance on temporary streams and towards permanent resident streams.

The situation facing Atlantic Canada regarding its demographic and economic needs require a holistic approach to create long term, sustainable solutions. This study has shown committee members that increased immigration is a necessary and vital component to creating a prosperous Atlantic Canada. While the Atlantic Immigration Pilot provides an opportunity to experiment with methods to increase immigration and retention, concrete actions need to be taken immediately to address the needs of today and tomorrow in the region. Experts are clear that there are known successful approaches and initiatives that can be undertaken immediately to start the region on this path to increased immigration and retention, and this study has made that clear. It is with this urgency in mind that New Democrats submit the recommendations included in this report.