Senator Rose-May Poirier

Senator Poirier: Thank you, Mr. Seeback. Unfortunately, I wasn’t here the first time, but I did follow and read everything that went on at that time.

An issue with the bill is the implementation of it, or the lack of, by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, thus far. It has been disappointing to see them not get any work done on the ministerial instructions since July. If this bill is to be adopted, can you explain the implementation process, and would it put the wheels in motion for the work — that should have begun months ago — to begin?

Mr. Seeback: That’s a good question. When I saw the first appearance of government officials and heard they had done basically no work with respect to the implementation of the ministerial instructions, I was very concerned about that.

However, we are talking about something different and new. This is authorizing an insurance company from a foreign country to offer an insurance product that is going to be potentially relied upon here in Canada.

As much as I’m disappointed with how little progress they have made, it also gives me the impression that they are going to take the time to get it right. I think that’s the big issue here.

When we talk about the insurance aspect of it, we could try to draft something. I know the insurance companies have given us what they think should be incorporated into the bill. The questions are as follows: What if they are wrong? What if they have drafted it in such a narrow way that no one can meet those requirements? I think we should give the time and the deference to the minister’s office and IRCC to put in place the guardrails that will ensure this product is available — and that it will protect hospitals and Canadian taxpayers.

Senator Poirier: The bill says that foreign insurance will need to be approved by the minister. Once the bill is adopted, if a foreign insurer has not been approved by the minister, does that mean they cannot provide insurance for the super visa? Am I correct on that?

Mr. Seeback: That is absolutely correct. They cannot.

Senator Poirier: In a way, consumers will be protected from potential fraudulent insurers all along due to the clause that the minister put in for approval.

Mr. Seeback: That is correct. I know this is a big concern. I can expand, or would you want to keep asking questions?

Senator Poirier: No, that was my last question. I just wanted you to confirm that we’re understanding this correctly — contrary to what some of the insurers have been telling us.

Mr. Seeback: That is correct. When it says “as approved by the minister,” any insurance company trying to offer this product has to be approved. If they are not approved, then the product is not approved.

Right now, you have to be medically admissible to Canada, even if you’re coming under the super visa. To get that, you have to go to a doctor and receive that medical clearance. Right now, we authorize all kinds of doctors — all across the world — to do that. Could there be fraud in that? There could be, but it’s a minimal risk that we are prepared to accept in order to allow this to move forward. I think that’s the same principle I apply here: Could there be a problem? Sure, but we’ll be able to identify that very quickly.

Senator Poirier: Thank you.