CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 209 West Block, the Chair, Andrew Telegdi, presiding.

Gurmant Grewal, Daniel Jean, Richard Kurland and Isabelle Dongier made statements, and with Tamra L. Thomson answered questions.

At 12:57 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:15 p.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Inky Mark, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget of Eight thousand dollars from April 1, 2005 to August 31, 2005 for the Committee's study on Recognition of the International Experience and Credentials of Immigrants be adopted.

Bill Siksay moved, — That the proposed budget of Eight thousand dollars from April 1, 2005 to August 31, 2005 for the Committee's study on Citizenship Issues be adopted.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Meili Faille, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget of Eight thousand dollars from April 1, 2005 to August 31, 2005 for the Committee's study on Family Reunification Issues be adopted.

The Committee proceeded to the stood motion of Colleen Beaumier

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Colleen Beaumier, — That the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration authorize the Chair to write on behalf of the Committee to the House Leaders, the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and the Speaker of the House of Commons to make the following request:

Whereas House of Commons committees that are authorized to travel by the House of Commons are conducting the official business of Parliament;

Whereas returning from authorized travel to vote in the House of Commons is costly, inconvenient, and disrespectful of witnesses, many of whom go to great lengths to make themselves available to appear before the committee;

Whereas Members of Parliament have a right to represent their constituents by voting in the House of Commons and should not be hindered by the fact that they are outside of Ottawa conducting official parliamentary business;

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration recommends that when there is a vote in the House of Commons and a House of Commons Committee is traveling on official business, the Standing Committee should be viewed, for the purpose of said vote, as an extension of the House of Commons and the clerk of the Committee should be authorized to register and report the vote to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

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

On motion of Lui Temelkovski, it was agreed, — That the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration authorize the Chair to write on behalf of the Committee to the House Leaders, the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and the Speaker of the House of Commons to make the following request:

Whereas House of Commons committees that are authorized to travel by the House of Commons are conducting the official business of Parliament;

Whereas returning from authorized travel to vote in the House of Commons is costly, inconvenient, and disrespectful of witnesses, many of whom go to great lengths to make themselves available to appear before the committee;

Whereas Members of Parliament have a right to represent their constituents by voting in the House of Commons and should not be hindered by the fact that they are outside of Ottawa conducting official parliamentary business;

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration recommends that when there is a vote in the House of Commons and a House of Commons Committee is traveling on official business, the Standing Committee should be viewed, for the purpose of said vote, as an extension of the House of Commons and the clerk of the Committee should be authorized to register and report the vote to the Speaker of the House of Commons

Hon. Hedy Fry made a statement.

At 2:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.