CITI Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 38
Wednesday, October 28, 1998
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Rey Pagtakhan, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Mark Assad, Jean Augustine, Leon Benoit, Norman Doyle, Raymonde Folco, Sophia Leung, Steve Mahoney, John McKay, Grant McNally, Réal Ménard, Rey Pagtakhan, Jack Ramsay and Andrew Telegdi.
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.
Witnesses:From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Georges Tsaï, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services; Bill Sheppit, Director General, Case Management Branch; Rodney Fields, Acting Director General, International Region; Brian Grant, Director, Program Development, Enforcement Branch.
The Chairman presented the FIFTH REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure, which is as follows:
Your Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, October 21, 1998, to consider the future business of the Committee, and has agreed to make the following recommendations:
1. - That the Committee approve the working budget for the Fiscal year 1998-99 in the amount of $72, 900.
2.- Notwithstanding the Resolution adopted on November 27, 1997, the Committee to meet on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
3. - Notwithstanding the Resolution adopted on October 21, 1997, the allocation of time for questioning in the FIRST ROUND for all witnesses be as follows: Reform 10 minutes, BQ 10 minutes, NDP 5 minutes, PC 5 minutes and the Liberals 10 minutes. In the SECOND ROUND and subsequent rounds, when a Minister and Officials are present, Liberals 5 minutes, Reform 5 minutes, BQ 5 minutes, NDP 5 minutes and PC 5 minutes. In so far as other witnesses are concerned, in the Second and Subsequent Rounds, Liberals 5 minutes, Reform 5 minutes, Liberals 5 minutes, BQ 5 minutes, Liberals 5 minutes, NDP 5 minutes, Liberals 5 minutes and PC 5 minutes.
4. - That the composition of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be maintained at 6 members, not including the Parliamentary Secretary (Resolution adopted on October 21, 1997).
5. - That the Committee consider the following items for its future business:
(a) Briefing on the Overview of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration by the Officials of the Department;
(b) Performance Report for the period ending March 31, 1998; (Document to be tabled October 29, 1998)
(c) Immigration, criminality and Security Issues;
(d) Visitors Visas;
(e) - That the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration hear from Canadian NGO's involved in Chile, to ensure that Chilean refugees in Montreal who must return to Chile will not undergo any violation of their human rights;
(f) - That an information meeting be held for members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration regarding countries where there are conflicts which may well cause an increase in the numbers of political refugees.
6. - That the Committee meet on Wednesday, October 28, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. for a briefing session on the Overview of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and on Thursday, October 29, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. to consider the Performance Report for the period covering March 31, 1998.
Réal Ménard moved, - That the Report be amended by deleting Recommendation 3 and substituting the following therefor:
3. That the allocation of time for the questioning in the FIRST ROUND for officials and other witnesses be as follows: Reform 10 minutes, B.Q. 10 minutes, Liberals 10 minutes, NDP 5 minutes, P.C. 5 minutes and Liberals 5 minutes, and in the SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS, 5 minutes to each of the Parties in the same order.
After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to on the following division: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 3.
It was agreed, - That a paragraph be added to Recommendation 3 for the allocation of time for the questioning of a Minister in the FIRST ROUND: Reform 10 minutes, B.Q. 10 minutes, N.D.P. 5 minutes, P.C. 5 minutes and Liberals 10 minutes, and in the SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS Liberals 5 minutes, Reform 5 minutes, B.Q. 5 minutes, N.D.P. 5 minutes and P.C. 5 minutes.
At 4:37 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:40 p.m., the sitting resumed.
On motion of Raymonde Folco, it was agreed, - That the Report be amended by deleting Recommendation 4 and substituting the following therefor:
4. That the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of eight (8) Members; the Chair, two Vice-Chairs, 2 representatives from the Liberal Party and one from each of the following Parties: B.Q., N.D.P. and P.C.
And debate arising thereon.
It was agreed, - That the Committee proceed immediately to a Briefing Session on the Overview of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration pursuant to Standing Order 108(2).
George Tsaï and Bill Sheppit made an audio visual presentation and, with Brian Grant, answered questions.
At 5:48 p.m., the Committee adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 1998.
Santosh Sirpaul
Clerk of the Committee