CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Norman Doyle, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 11:34 a.m., Meili Faille took the Chair.

At 11:38 a.m., the Chair Norman Doyle, took the Chair.

At 12:08 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:09 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That the CIC officials that appeared at the meeting of Wednesday, May 2, 2007, be reinvited to appear before the Committee, specifically regarding the comments made by Rose Anne Poirier that officials were instructed to delay citizenship cases pending the Supreme Court ruling on the Taylor case, and comments made by Rosemarie Redden that officials have asked the RCMP to expedite citizenship cases regarding lost Canadians.

Andrew Telegdi moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “appeared at” with the words “were invited to”, and adding the words “except Mark Davidson” after the word “Committee”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Andrew Telegdi and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Andrew Telegdi moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “and that the witnesses be sworn in, and that they be so notified” at the end of the motion.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Andrew Telegdi and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The adopted motion read as follows:

That the CIC officials that were invited to the meeting of Wednesday, May 2, 2007, be reinvited to appear before the Committee, except Mark Davidson, specifically regarding the comments made by Rose Anne Poirier that officials were instructed to delay citizenship cases pending the Supreme Court ruling on the Taylor case, and comments made by Rosemarie Redden that officials have asked the RCMP to expedite citizenship cases regarding lost Canadians, and that the witnesses be sworn in, and that they be so notified.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That the Committee on Citizenship and Immigration invite Ken Sandhu and Lois Delia Figg to appear before the Committee regarding their appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Omar Alghabra moved, — That the following report be adopted by the Committee, and that the Chair present the report to the house as soon as possible.

By unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

Bill Siksay moved, — That the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration request that the Minister of Public Safety appear before the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre, security certificate detainees and the urgent matter of Hassan Almrei’s continuing detention and hunger strike, and that the Chair and Clerk find a time for such a meeting within the regular schedule of committee meetings or, if necessary, at a special meeting.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

At 12:44 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.