QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Permanent Residence Pathways
February 26, 2026
Senator Moreau, on Tuesday, we marked the fourth solemn anniversary of Putin’s brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Senator Kutcher recently asked you a few times during Question Period about Ukrainian war refugees seeking to gain permanent residency in Canada. Each time, you responded that you would raise the issue with Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Diab. Three weeks ago, you even declared that the minister was “. . . aware of the issue, and she is actively participating in . . .” finding a solution. However, Minister Diab has seemingly gone AWOL on this. She hasn’t met in person with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress since becoming the minister last May. This minister was quoted on Tuesday as saying that the Ukrainian permanent residency issue “. . . is not something I’m aware of.”
Senator Moreau, either you’re not representing the views of senators to your Carney government or this inept Liberal immigration minister is ignoring you. Which is it?
Senator Batters, 50% of my job is representing the government here in the Senate, but the other 50% of my job is to represent the Senate with the government. I take both very seriously.
I can assure you that when I make commitments in this chamber to make representations to the government, I do so as soon as I can. I hope that you believe me when I say that’s my pledge regarding what I have to do in this chamber, and that’s what I’m doing on a daily basis after Question Period.
I guess you should find out what’s going on with the immigration minister. You’d have a better chance of being heard by this minister if you and your group were members of the national Liberal caucus. You could raise these issues weekly at caucus meetings with the immigration minister in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Will you admit that this non-partisan Senate charade undermines senators presenting important issues to the government and is to the disadvantage of Canadians?
I asked Senator Housakos last week to be invited to your national caucus because there are a lot of messages I’m giving to you that are obviously not being forwarded to it.
I don’t think that being part of a national caucus has anything to do with the tragedy that the Ukrainian people are living through these days.
