CITI Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 51
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:40 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Rey Pagtakhan, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Leon Benoit, Raymonde Folco, Sophia Leung, Steve Mahoney, Pat Martin, Grant McNally, Rey Pagtakhan and Andrew Telegdi.
Acting Members present: Joseph Volpe for Mark Assad; Bryon Wilfert for Jean Augustine and Alex Shepherd for John McKay.
Other Member present: Tony Ianno.
In attendance: From the Committees and Legislative Services: Susan Baldwin, Legislative Clerk. From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.
Witnesses:From the Canadian Bar Association: Stephen W. Green, Executive Member, National Citizenship and Immigration Section; Tamra L. Thomson, Director, Legislation and Law Reform.
The Chair presented the SIXTH REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure, which is as follows:
The Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration has the honour to presents its SIXTH REPORT.
Your Sub-Committee met on Wednesday March 4, 1999, to consider the future business of the Committee, and has agreed to make the following recommendations:
1.-- That pursuant to its Order of Reference of March 1, 1999 relating to Bill C-63, An Act respecting Canadian citizenship, Nine (9) Members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Four (4) from the Opposition Parties and Five (5) from the Liberal Party including the Chair, be authorized to hold public hearings in Six Cities, namely, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax from March 17 to 26, 1999 and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.
2.-- That the Committee schedule meetings on Bill C-63, An Act respecting Canadian citizenship, on the following days: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 - The Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Citizenship Federation; Thursday, March 11, 1999, - The Canadian Ethnocultural Council and the Mennonite Central Committee Canada.
3.-- That notwisthstanding the resolution adopted on October 21, 1998, the Committee reimburse One(1) representative of an organization, if requested, reasonable travelling, accomodation and living expenses in accordance with guidelines provided by the Board of Internal Economy.
Pat Martin moved, - That the SIXTH REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.
It was agreed, - That each Item of the Sub-Committee Report be considered separately.
On Item 1
Leon Benoit moved, - That Item 1 be amended by adding after the words "public hearings" the following:
"which would involve morning sessions, hearing from representatives from different interested groups set up by appointment, and afternoon and evening sessions that would be completely open to members of the public, where they could register before the meetings or during the meetings and have their say,
and deleting the dates March 17 to 26, 1999".
After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS:
Leon Benoit
Grant McNally: --2
NAYS:
Raymonde Folco
Sophy Leung
Steve Mahoney
Pat Martin
Alex Shepherd
Andrew Telegdi: -- 6
It was agreed, - That Item 1 be referred back to the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure for reconsideration.
On Item 2
After debate, the question being put on Item, it was agreed to.
On Item 3
After debate, Leon Benoit moved, - That Item 3 be referred back to the Sub-Committee for reconsideration.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS:
Leon Benoit
Grant McNally: -- 2
NAYS:
Raymonde Folco
Sophy Leung
Steve Mahoney
Pat Martin
Alex Shepherd
Andrew Telegdi: -- 6
And the question being put on the Item 3, it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS:
Nil
NAYS:
Raymonde Folco
Sophy Leung
Steve Mahoney
Pat Martin
Alex Shepherd
Andrew Telegdi: -- 6
Leon Benoit moved, - That the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration be requested to appear before the committee at the earliest opportunity, on two separate occasions, and no later than March 25, 1999 to address Part 3 of the Estimates and the Performance Reviews of the Department for the fiscal year 1998-99.
The Chair ruled the motion out of order as it was irrelevant to the Order of the day.
And the ruling of the Chair having being appealed.
It was sustained on the following division:
YEAS: 6; NAYS: 0.
Pursuant to an Order or Reference of the House dated March 1, 1999, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-63, An Act respecting Canadian citizenship. (See Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday, March 3, 1999, Meeting No. 50)
The Committee resumed consideration of Clause 2.
Tamra Thomson made some introductory remarks. Stephen Green made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:24 p.m., the Committee adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 1999.
Santosh Sirpaul
Clerk of the Committee