Hon. Danièle Henkel: Senator Moreau, the new budget acknowledges the troubling fact that more than half of newcomers with a bachelor’s degree or higher are overqualified for their jobs. In other words, we’re attracting talent but not utilizing it. This is a significant waste of human and economic potential.

The government is allocating $97 million over five years to improve the recognition of foreign credentials, but it hasn’t outlined any objectives, timelines or indicators. There is nothing to compel the provinces to deliver concrete results. Meanwhile, the share of economic immigrants will increase from 59% to 64%. Why not link federal transfers to measurable results on credential recognition? Otherwise, we will continue to attract talent only to lose it.

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question.

With regard to transfers, the federal government has always preferred to take a collaborative approach with the provinces, rather than a coercive one. The same goes for labour, skilled jobs and jobs held by immigrants who want to work in Canada. The Parliament of Canada has limited jurisdiction over jobs in provincially regulated sectors.

As you mentioned, the Government of Canada has established a fund to work with the provinces and territories to recognize credentials in a fairer, faster and more transparent way. With the passage of Bill C-5, the first bill to get Royal Assent since the election, the government has already begun working to establish a national mutual recognition system under which goods, services or workers that meet federal requirements —

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, Senator Moreau.

Senator Henkel: Thank you, Senator Moreau.

The recognition of foreign credentials is being treated as a simple integration issue when it’s really a structural barrier to growth. Is the government prepared to make the recognition of foreign credentials an economic indicator in its own right, just like the employment rate or productivity, so we can finally measure whether Canada is making full use of people’s skills?

Senator Moreau: I’m just going to finish my previous answer.

I was talking about a national mutual recognition system where goods, services or workers that meet the requirements of the federal government, one province or one territory would be considered compliant with the requirements of them all. It would be a streamlining initiative of sorts.

As for your supplementary question, I have no specific information as to whether any new economic indicators would be introduced. If they are, or if I receive relevant information on the matter, I would be happy to share it with you.