Today in Question Period I asked the Minister of Immigration about what the government was doing to ensure that international students whose temporary status is expiring due to processing challenges caused by the pandemic could remain in Canada to work and contribute to Canada's economic growth. To view my question and the Minister's reply click video Transcript of the exchange:

The Speaker: The honourable member for Brampton Centre.

Shafqat Ali (LPC): Mr. Speaker, over the last to years our government has consistently heard from employers regarding their challenges with a skilled and labour shortages that has affected not just their businesses but also Canada's economic growth and recovery. In my riding of Brampton Centre, I also have a thriving population of international graduates. Visas are expiring due to problems caused by the pandemic. They're eager to find a path to remain and work in Canada. What is the government doing to allow more of these talented workers to remain in Canada to contribute to Canada's economy?

The Speaker: The honourable minister of immigration.

Sean Fraser (LPC): Did you, he Mr. Speaker. -- Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I pointe out that the member who posed the question is a champion for international students and I thank him for his work ob. File. -- On the file. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to share last week I had the opportunity to make an announcement in St. John New Brunswick that the federal government could extend open work permits to those facing recently or soon to be expired work personalities post graduate. Because of the investments we made to increase processing we cut the inventory of cases in the high skilled express category in half, and we'll resume those entry draws this July to make sure that more people can come and make a difference to the economy in Canada.