CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 8:51 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, David Tilson, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Standing on Guard for Thee: Ensuring that Canada's Immigration System is Secure".

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report dissenting and/or supplementary opinions from each political party, provided that they are no more than 7 pages in length and be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the Clerk of the Committee within 48 hours of the adoption of the report by the Committee.

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

At 9:10 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:26 a.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the Eighth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in as amended:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the Committee study Bill C-425, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (honouring the Canadian Armed Forces) starting on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, and that a total of six (6) meetings be devoted to this study, which are to be divided as follows:

• On Tuesday, March 19, 2013, Devinder Shory, M.P., appear before the Committee from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and that officials from the Department of National Defence appear from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.;

• On Thursday, March 21, 2013, Minister Jason Kenney and officials from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) appear before the Committee from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and that officials from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) appear from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.;

• On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, and on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, the Committee hear from witnesses;

• On Thursday, April 18, 2013, officials from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) appear before the Committee from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or until 10:45 a.m. if necessary. If the officials only appear from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., the Committee commence its clause-by-clause study of the Bill from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.;

• On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, the Committee commence or resume its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

2. That the meetings to hear witnesses be divided into one-hour panels, and that each panel include three (3) witnesses, with a maximum of two (2) representatives per organization and that each organization or individual be given eight (8) minutes to make an opening statement;

3. That Committee members submit their prioritized witness lists, with the witnesses’ complete contact information, to the clerk no later than Friday, March 8, 2013, before the close of business (4:30 p.m.) and that these lists be modified only if agreed unanimously by the Subcommittee members;

4. That the total number of witnesses be divided among the recognized parties according to their standings in the House of Commons: seven (7) witnesses for the Government (Conservative Party), four (4) witnesses for the Official Opposition (New Democratic Party) and one (1) witness for the other opposition party (Liberal Party);

5. That amendments to the Bill be submitted to the clerk in both official languages forty-eight (48) hours before beginning clause-by-clause consideration, that is, before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, and that these amendments be distributed to members in both official languages as soon as possible on Wednesday, April 17, 2013;

6. That the Committee’s meetings on Bill C-425 be televised, if possible;

7. That witnesses invited to appear be given the choice to appear in person or by videoconference (upon availability);

8. That the Committee do not meet on Thursday, March 28, 2013;

9. That the Subcommittee on Agenda and procedure meet on Thursday, March 7, 2013, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.;

10. That Minister Jason Kenney or the Parliamentary Secretary Rick Dykstra appear on the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2012–13 on Thursday, March 7, 2013, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.;

11. That Minister Jason Kenney appear on the Main Estimates 2013-14 on Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

At 9:37 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.