CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 10:20 a.m. this day, in Room 536 Wellington Building, the Chair, Joe Fontana, presiding.

The witnesses answered questions.

The Committee resumed consideration of the amendment of Sarkis Assadourian, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 10 and 11 on page 3 with the following:

“values essential to a free and democratic society, including respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, commitment to social justice and equality, accommodation of a wide variety of beliefs, respect for cultural and group identity and faith in social and political institutions that enhance the participation of individuals and groups in society; and”

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was allowed to stand.

John Bryden moved, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 10 and 11 on page 3 with the following:

“values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ”

Debate arose thereon.

At 11:05 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:51, the sitting resumed.

The Committee resumed consideration of the amendment of John Bryden, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 10 and 11 on page 3 with the following:

“values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ”

The debate continued.

The question was put on the amendment of John Bryden and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 3.

Sarkis Assadourian moved, — That Bill C-18, be amended by adding after line 11 on page 3 the following new clause:

“3.1 This Act is to be interpreted in a manner that ensures that decisions taken under this Act are consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Sarkis Assadourian and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, the Committee reverted to the consideration of the amendment of Sarkis Assadourian previously stood which read as follows: That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 10 and 11 on page 3 with the following:

“values essential to a free and democratic society, including respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, commitment to social justice and equality, accommodation of a wide variety of beliefs, respect for cultural and group identity and faith in social and political institutions that enhance the participation of individuals and groups in society; and”

Debate arose thereon.

John Bryden moved, — That the amendment be amended by inserting the words “freedom of speech” after the word “person” in the second line of the text under (b) which replaces lines 10 and 11 on page 3 of C-18.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the subamendment was withdrawn.

On motion of Libby Davies, it was agreed, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing, in the French version, line 10 on page 3 with the following:

“de promouvoir la reconnaissance du français et de l'anglais comme langues officielles du Canada.”

On motion of Janko Peric, it was agreed, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 39 on page 2 the following:

“( b .1) to affirm that Canadian citizenship is about a sense of belonging and exemplifies our inclusiveness as a nation;”

At 12:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.