Issue 05

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1996
(Meeting No. 23)

[Text]

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 9:06 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair and Vice-Chairs, pursuant to Standing Orders 106(1) and 106(2).

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Maud Debien, Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

Acting Member present: Don Boudria for Maria Minna.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of a Chair.

On motion of Stan Dromisky, it was agreed,--That Eleni Bakopanos do take the Chair of this Committee.

Accordingly, Eleni Bakopanos was duly elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Maud Debien, it was agreed,--That Osvaldo Nunez be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed,--That Stan Dromisky be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

At 9:10 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1996
(Meeting No. 24)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:58 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Vice-Chair, Stan Dromisky, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Immigration and Refugee Board: Azar Ali Khan, Convention Refugee Determination Division; Janet (Susan) Rowsell, Convention Refugee Determination Division; Dick Sai Chu Chan, Convention Refugee Determination Division; Yasmeen Saddiqui, Convention Refugee Determination Division; Susan Kitchener, Immigration Appeal Division.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Orders 110 and 111, the Committee proceeded to consider Order in Council appointments.

Azar Ali Khan answered questions.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed,--That the motion of Osvaldo Nunez concerning dividing Bill C-49 and the report of the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be debated during the meeting of October 8th or October 10th.

Janet Rowsell answered questions.

Dick Sai Chu Chan answered questions.

Yasmeen Saddiqui answered questions.

Susan Kitchener answered questions.

At 5:02 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1996
(Meeting No. 25)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 4:37 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Bldg., the Chair, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna and Osvaldo Nunez.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Immigration and Refugee Board: Emmanuel Didier, Convention Refugee Determination Division; Raymonde Folco, Convention Refugee Determination Division.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Orders 110 and 111, the Committee resumed consideration of Order in Council appointments.

Emmanuel Didier answered questions.

Raymonde Folco answered questions.

At 5:28 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Susan Baldwin

Clerk of the Committee

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1996
(Meeting No. 26)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 4:05 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 306, West Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Judy Bethel, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

Acting Members present: Paul DeVillers for Maria Minna and John Loney for Stan Dromisky.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

The Committee met to consider its future business.

Osvaldo Nunez moved,--That considering the federal government's intention to introduce Bill C-49, an Act to authorize remedial and disciplinary measures in relation to members of certain administrative tribunals, to reorganize and dissolve certain federal agencies and to make consequential amendments to other Acts;

Considering that this Bill will be examined by the Government Operations Committee;

Considering that this Bill introduces a fundamental modification to the Immigration and Refugee Board by diminishing the number of panel members from two to one;

Be it resolved that the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration ask to study all sections of Bill C-49 pertaining to the Immigration and Refugee Board.

After debate, it was agreed that the motion stand, pending the consultations that the Chair will conduct with the Chair of the Government Operations Committee, to which Bill C-49 will likely be referred to.

On motion of Mr. McTeague, It was agreed,--That the Committee adopt the Third Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

Mr. Nunez moved,--That Mr. Jacques La Salle be invited to appear before the Committee to answer question related to the length of his re-appointment to Convention Refugee Determination Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (Montreal Regional Office) for a (4) four-year term.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, and it was defeated on the following division:

NAYS

Judy Bethel
Maria Minna
John Loney
Tom Wappel
Dan McTeague

YEAS

Val Meredith
Osvaldo Nunez

It was agreed,--That the Clerk invite Mrs. Anita Fuoco Boscariol of Burnaby, British Columbia and Mr. S.S. Kofi Sordzi of Laprairie, Quebec to appear before the Committee on the same sitting, in relation to their recent appointment to Immigration and Refugee Boards.

At 4:25 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Georges Etoka

Committee Clerk

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1996
(Meeting No. 27)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:31 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, the Chair, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Judy Bethel, Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith and Maria Minna.

Acting Member present: John Godfrey for Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Immigration and Refugee Board: Kofi Sordzi, part-time member of the Convention Refugee Determination Division (Montreal Regional Office); Anita Fuoco Boscariol, full-time member of the Convention Refugee Determination Division (Vancouver Regional Office).

Pursuant to Standing Orders 110 and 111, the Committee proceeded to a study of Order in Council appointments.

The witnesses answered questions.

At 4:03 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Ellen Savage

Committee Clerk

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1996
(Meeting No. 28)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:40 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Vice-Chair, Stan Dromisky, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Stan Dromisky, Val Meredith, Maria Minna and Osvaldo Nunez.

Acting Member present: Paul Steckle for Eleni Bakopanos.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Raphaël Girard, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations; Doreen Steidle, Director General, Selection; and Don Myatt, Director, Business Immigration Division.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study of a report entitled: ``Refocusing the Immigrant Investor Program'' dated August 1995.

Raphaël Girard and Doreen Steidle each made a statement and, with the other witness from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, answered questions.

At 4:52 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1996
(Meeting No. 29)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:38 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

The Chair presented the 4th Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which reads as follows:

``Your Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1.That the Committee hold a meeting with departmental officials on a report entitled: Refocusing the Immigrant Investor Program;

2.That the Committee invite the Minister to appear before it concerning the announcement on immigration levels to be made shortly;

3.Other topics mentioned as possible items of future business:

-The requirement by Revenue Canada that immigrants & canadian citizens declare their total foreign assets;

-The distribution of immigrants in Canada.''

After debate, it was agreed,--That the 4th Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

At 3:45 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1996
(Meeting No. 30)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:37 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Bldg., the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Colleen Beaumier, Judy Bethel, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

Acting Member present: Morris Bodnar for Stan Dromisky.

Other Member present: Leon Benoit.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Appearing: The Hon. Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Witnesses: From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Marc Lafrenière, Associate Deputy Minister; Raphaël Girard, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced a study on Immigration Levels.

The Hon. Lucienne Robillard made a statement and, with the other witnesses from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, answered questions.

The Chair presented the 5th Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which reads as follows:

``Your Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, November 5th, 1996, and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1.That the Clerk and the Researcher study the feasibility of having meetings on the privatization of services at the Immigration and Refugee Board and at the Department;

2.That the Committee consider studying the following matters:

-Immigrant Investor Program;

-The live-in caregiver program.''

After debate, it was agreed,--That the 5th Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

At 4:36 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1996
(Meeting No. 31)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 9:11 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Judy Bethel, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna and Osvaldo Nunez.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Jeff LeBane, Director General, Refugees; John Butt, Senior Policy Advisor, International Protection, Asylum Division, Refugee Branch.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced consideration of a study on the regulations regarding the landing of undocumented refugees.

Jeff LeBane made a statement and, with the other witness from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, answered questions.

At 10:45 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1996
(Meeting No. 32)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:45 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Judy Bethel, Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna and Osvaldo Nunez.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Convention Refugee Determination Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board: Jean Prévost, full-time member. From the South Ottawa Community Legal Services: Chantal Tie, Executive Director. From the Community Legal Services: Michael Bossin, Lawyer.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Orders 110 and 111, the Committee commenced a study of an Order in Council Appointment.

Jean Prévost, from the Immigration and Refugee Board, made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed,--That the Committee order a light dinner, such as sandwiches, for the evening of Thursday, December 5, 1996 as the Committee will be sitting over the dinner hour.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the regulations regarding landing of undocumented refugees (See Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence dated Tuesday, December 3, 1996, Issue No. 5).

Michael Bossin, from the Community Legal Services, and Chantal Tie, from the South Ottawa Community Legal Services, each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:02 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1996
(Meeting No. 33)

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:40 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

Acting Members present: Roy Cullen for Maria Minna and Benoît Sauvageau for Osvaldo Nunez.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Canadian Council for Refugees: Nancy Worsfold, Executive Director; Ladan Affi, Member of the Executive Committee; Mohamed Tabit, Program Coordinator, Midaynta Association of Somali Service Organizations. From the Canadian Bar Association: David Matas, Chair, National Immigration Law Section; Tamra Thomson, Director, Legislation and Law Reform. From the Afgan Association of Ontario: Dr. Sultan Barekzai, President; Jan Alekozai, Executive Director. From the Iranian Community Association: Saghi Saddighi, Settlement Counsellor; Mohammad Shams, Vice-President. From the Eelam Tamil Society: Karthigesu Sivasegaran, Settlement Counsellor; and Rev. Canon J. Francis Xavier, Board Member. From the Somali Council for Refugees: Abdi Ulusso, Coordinator; Abdulaziz Hersi, Vice-President. From the Somali Centre for Youth, Women and Community Development: Ahmed Hashi, Settlement and Immigration Counsellor; Abdulhakim S. Mohamed, Settlement Worker. From the ``Table de concertation de Montréal pour les réfugiés'': Rivka Augenfeld, President; Jean-François Goyette, Lawyer. From the Catholic Immigration Centre: Llilo Mayaliwa, French Settlement Counsellor.

Nancy Worsfold, Mohamed Tabit and Ladan Affi, from the Canadian Council for Refugees, each made a statement and answered questions.

Tamra Thomson and David Matas, from the Canadian Bar Association, each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:16 o'clock p.m, the sitting was suspended.

At 5:25 o'clock p.m. the sitting resumed.

Jan Alekozai from the afgan Association of Ontario, Abdi Ulusso from the Somali Council for Refugees, and Abdulhakim S. Mohamed from the Somali Centre for Youth, Women and Community Development, each made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Saghi Saddighi and Mohammad Shams, from the Iranian Community Association, Rev. Canon J. Francis Xavier and Karthigesu Sivasegaran, from the Eelam Tamil Society, each made a statement and answered questions.

Rivka Augenfeld and Jean-François Goyette, from the ``Table de concertation de Montréal pour les réfugiés'', each made a statement and answered questions.

Llilo Mayaliwa, from the Catholic Immigration Centre, made a statement.

At 7:45 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1996
(Meeting No. 34)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 3:36 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 306, West Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Colleen Beaumier, Judy Bethel, Stan Dromisky, Val Meredith, Maria Minna, Osvaldo Nunez and Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the regulations regarding landing of undocumented convention refugees (See Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence dated Tuesday, December 3, 1996, Issue No. 5).

The Committee proceeded to consider a draft report.

After debate, it was agreed,--That the Committee's Report on Regulations regarding landing of undocumented refugees, as amended, be adopted as the Third Report to the House and that the Chair present it to the House.

It was agreed,--That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committe requests the Government to table a comprehensive response to the Report.

It was agreed,--That the Committee print 1000 copies of Issue No. 5 of the Committee's Minutes of Proceedings which contains the Third Report to the House.

It was agreed,--That the Chair make such editorial changes as may be necessary.

After debate, it was agreed,--That any minority reports must be in the hands of the Clerk of the Committee no later than noon on Wednesday, December 11, 1996.

At 5:30 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1996
(Meeting No. 35)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 3:35 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 306, West Block, the Chairman, Eleni Bakopanos, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Stan Dromisky, Dan McTeague, Val Meredith, Maria Minna and Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the regulations regarding landing of undocumented Convention refugees (See Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence dated Tuesday, December 3, 1996, Issue No. 5).

It was agreed,--That the Committee rescind the following motion which was agreed to on Tuesday, December 10, 1996:

--That the Committee's Report on Regulations regarding landing of undocumented Convention refugees, as amended, be adopted as the Third Report to the House and that the Chair present it to the House.