CIMM Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 23

Thursday, February 24, 2005

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in a televised session at 11:09 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, Andrew Telegdi, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Diane Ablonczy, Roger Clavet, Meili Faille, Hedy Fry, Helena Guergis, Rahim Jaffer, Bill Siksay, Andrew Telegdi and Lui Temelkovski.

Acting Members present: Larry Bagnell for David A. Anderson, Nina Grewal for Helena Guergis, Nina Grewal for Rahim Jaffer, Judi Longfield for Colleen Beaumier, Russ Powers for David A. Anderson and John Reynolds for Inky Mark.

Associate Members present: Nina Grewal and Mario Silva.

Other Members present: Larry Bagnell.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Benjamin Dolin, Analyst . House of Commons: Jean-François Lafleur, Legislative Clerk.

Appearing: Hon. Joseph Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Witnesses: Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Daniel Jean, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Program Development; Robert Orr, Director General, Refugees Branch; Rick Herringer, Director, Resettlement, Refugees; Patricia Birkett, Acting Director General, Integration; Paige Purcell, Counsel, Legal Services; Janice Charette, Deputy Minister; Irene Bader, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on SOS Viet Phi.

Daniel Jean made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:27 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:30 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Questioning of the Daniel Jean resumed.

At 11:43 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:45 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act.

Daniel Jean made a statement and answered questions.

The Committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

The Chair called Clause 1.

On Clause 1,

Hedy Fry moved, — That Bill S-2 be amended by adding after line 15 on page 1 the following:

(1.2) A person referred to in subsection (1.1) shall not be granted citizenship under subsection (1) or take the oath of citizenship

(a) while the person is charged with, on trial for, or subject to or a party to an appeal or a review relating to, an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence, unless the Minister is satisfied that the charge made against the person is without foundation and was made for the purpose of persecuting or discrediting the person;

(b) if the person is serving a sentence outside Canada for an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or paragraph 22(1)(b);

(c) if the person has been convicted of an offence referred to in paragraph (a) during the period beginning three years before the date of their application and ending on the date that the person would otherwise be granted citizenship or take the oath of citizenship, whether or not they have been pardoned or otherwise granted amnesty by a foreign authority.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Hedy Fry and it was negatived.

Clause 1 carried.

The Title carried.

The Bill carried.

ORDERED, — That the Chair report the Bill to the House.

At 12:10 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:29 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to a statement on the Minister's Vision for Citizenship and Immigration.

Minister Joseph Volpe made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

William Farrell
Clerk of the Committee

2005/02/25 8:56 a.m.