CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room C-110, 1 Wellington Street, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Rick Dykstra, it was agreed, — That David Tilson be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent and pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Rathika Sitsabaiesan, it was agreed, — That Jinny Jogindera Sims be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Costas Menegakis, it was agreed, — That Kevin Lamoureux be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

David Tilson took the Chair.

Kevin Lamoureux moved, — That the Committee request that a study of the cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program commence immediately, and that the witness list include, but not be limited to:

• Canadian Council for Refugees

• Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care

• Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers

• Canadian Medical Association

• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

• The College of Family Physicians of Canada

• Canadian Association of Social Workers

• Canadian Dental Association

• Canadian Association of Optometrists

• Canadian Nurses Association

• Canadian Pharmacists Association

• Citizenship and Immigration Deputy Minister Neil Yeates

• Officials from the Provincial Ministries of Health from Quebec and Ontario

The Committee also request that the Department of Citizenship and Immigration provide it with all studies, consultations, and briefing notes provided to the Minister with regard to the policy decision to cut interim health care benefits and that this information be provided within five business days and that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Mylène Freeman, Sadia Groguhé, Kevin Lamoureux, Jinny Jogindera Sims, Rathika Sitsabaiesan — 5; NAYS: Rick Dykstra, Roxanne James, Chungsen Leung, Costas Menegakis, Ted Opitz, John Weston — 6.

Jinny Jogindera Sims moved, — That we not hear the witnesses from the Canadian Immigration Report until Committee members have had an opportunity to take a look at the website and make an assessment.

On motion of Costas Menegakis, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera.

At 3:57 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:58 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That we not hear the witnesses from the Canadian Immigration Report until Committee members have had an opportunity to take a look at the website and make an assessment.

At 4:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:23 p.m., the sitting resumed in a public and televised session.

Lorne Waldman, by videoconference from Toronto, Ontario, and Nathalie Des Rosiers made statements and answered questions.

At 5:32 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.