Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my statement is on immigration and marriage fraud.
Mr. Speaker, Canada is a desirable location for many people seeking a new start and has welcomed many newcomers through different federal programs. Canada's immigration policies fill labour shortages and support family reunification. Recently, it was announced that provincial and territorial nominee program allotments would be decreased.
Mr. Speaker, with this reduction in spots available, I am worried that other means of entry to Canada will be sought. There are cases where people are using marriage fraud to get Canadian citizenship. These are scam marriage applicants used to secure the benefits of citizenship and once acquired, they abandon their spouse after tricking them into marriage. The consequences of these scam marriages are devastating on the sponsoring Canadian citizens being used for this purpose. They are left heartbroken and financially responsible for the applicants for a few years.
The processing of immigration applicants and detection of marriage fraud is a responsibility of the federal government. This is a growing issue that can impact unsuspecting Canadians. I would like people, especially in small communities, to be aware of this issue. With the nominee program being limited, there may be an increase in other avenues being used to gain entry into Canada. We need to protect our residents from online scam phishing and exploitation, and inform them of this issue. It's a crime to marry a Canadian citizen or permanent resident simply to gain entry into Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
