CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 213, Wellington Building, the Chair, Norman Doyle, presiding.

Olivia Chow moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee recommend the government immediately serve notice and then proceed to abrogate the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States of America.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 4.

Andrew Telegdi moved, — That, when the House returns from the summer adjournment, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the government's system for determining if applicants under the provision for the federal skilled worker class will be able to become economically established in Canada, and that, as part of the study, the Committee travel to Australia and New Zealand to examine the analogous systems in those countries.

Debate arose thereon.

Ed Komarnicki moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting all words after “Canada”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ed Komarnicki and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That this committee undertake a study of the effectiveness of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office, call witnesses from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, stakeholders, immigration practitioners, lawyers, community organizations, and professional organizations and groups; that a report be compiled; and that the Chair present it in the House of Commons.

Debate arose thereon.

Olivia Chow moved, — That the motion be amended by inserting after the words “Foreign Credentials Referral Office” the words “and other possible methodologies to expedite foreign credentials recognition”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Olivia Chow and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government should deport no one to Sri Lanka until a safe environment exists there, and that it should expedite any family class sponsorships from the danger zone; that the Committee adopt these recommendations as a report to the House and that, pursuant to Standing order 108(1), the Chair present it to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Thierry St-Cyr moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “a safe environment exists there” with the words “the Committee has studied the issue”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Thierry St-Cyr and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The motion as adopted read:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government should deport no one to Sri Lanka until the Committee has studied the issue, and that it should expedite any family class sponsorships from the danger zone; that the Committee adopt these recommendations as a report to the House and that, pursuant to Standing order 108(1), the Chair present it to the House.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), this Committee hear the respective Ministers and officials from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and the Canadian Border Services Agency, and other relevant witnesses, to enquire into ever increasing processing times related to immigration time lines from posts around the world, and that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), any findings and recommendations based thereon be reported to the House before any amendment is made to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Debate arose thereon.

Olivia Chow moved, — That the motion be amended by inserting after the word “world,” the words “and the contract with the Indian company, VFS”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Olivia Chow and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The motion as adopted read:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), this Committee hear the respective Ministers and officials from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and the Canadian Border Services Agency, and other relevant witnesses, to enquire into ever increasing processing times related to immigration time lines from posts around the world and the contract with the Indian company, VFS; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), any findings and recommendations based thereon be reported to the House before any amendment is made to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

At 4:05 p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

The Committee commenced consideration of a preliminary summary of issues.

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