CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:39 p.m. this day, in Room 705 La Promenade 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”

The debate continued.

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.

The question was put on the subamendment of John Bryden and it was negatived.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

On motion of Sarkis Assadourian, it was agreed, — 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 human dignity and freedom of expression, commitment to social justice and equality, accomodation 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”

By unanimous consent, on motion of Raymonde Folco, it was agreed, — That the amendment of John Bryden adopted by the Committee on June 5, 2003, be further amended in the French version with the following:“e) de requérir la démonstration d'un attachement au Canada pour l'acquisition de la citoyenneté”

By unanimous consent, Clause 3, as amended, was allowed to stand.

Clause 4 carried.

Clause 5 was allowed to stand.

Clause 6 carried.

Clause 7 was allowed to stand.

Clause 8 carried.

Clause 9 was allowed to stand.

Clause 10 carried.

New Clause 10.1

Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral moved, — That Bill C-18 be amended by adding after line 25 on page 6 the following new clause:

“ 10.1 For the purposes of this Act, a person who is in Canada, who has resided in Canada for at least ten years, and whom the Minister declares to be a permanent resident, is deemed to be a permanent resident from the date specified by the Minister.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral and it was negatived.

Clause 11 was allowed to stand.

On Clause 12,

Jerry Pickard moved, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 12, be amended by replacing lines 1 to 5 on page 7 with the following:

“ 12. (1) A citizen, whether or not born in Canada, is entitled to all the rights, powers and privileges, and is subject to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities, to which a person who is a citizen at birth is entitled or subject and has the same status as that person.

(2) A citizen has the rights granted and the responsibilities set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian law, and is entitled to enjoy the peace and prosperity that prevails in Canada and to participate in its growth.

(3) Every citizen shall recognize and respect the application of the rights and responsibilities mentioned in subsection (2) to other citizens.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Jerry Pickard and it was negatived.

Clause 12 carried.

On Clause 13,

Jerry Pickard moved, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 13, be amended by replacing lines 6 to 8 on page 7 with the following:

“ 13. The right of citizenship may be revoked only by due process of law and on the grounds prescribed by law.”

At 4:40 p.m., Jerry Pickard took the Chair.

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

Joe Fontana moved, — That Bill C-18, in Clause 13, be amended by replacing lines 6 to 8 on page 7 with the following:

“ 13. The right of citizenship may be lost only by due process of law and in accordance with this Part.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Joe Fontana and it was agreed to.

At 5:10 p.m., Joe Fontana took the Chair.

Clause 13, as amended, carried.

At 5:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.