CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, David Tilson, presiding.

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

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

That the Committee undertake a study of the subject matter of clauses 174 (Criminal Code) and 175 (Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act) and 290 to 293 (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) of Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures;

That the Committee invite officials from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to appear on Thursday, November 7, 2013 for one (1) hour and hear from witnesses on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 on this study;

That the total number of witnesses be divided among the recognized parties according to their standings in the House of Commons: three (3) for the Government (Conservative Party), two (2) for the Official Opposition (New Democratic Party) and one (1) for the other opposition party (Liberal Party);

That the Committee members submit their prioritized witness list, with the witnesses’ complete contact information to the Clerk no later than Friday, November 8, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.; and

That the Committee consider the suggested amendments to the Bill on Tuesday, November 21, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

That the Committee invite the Department of Citizenship and Immigration on Thursday, November 21, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., to provide an overview of the Department’s role and responsibilities.

That the Hon. Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, appear before the Committee on Thursday, November 28, 2013, for two (2) hours regarding the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2013-14.

That the Committee resume its study on Temporary Resident Visas for Visitors commenced during the First Session of the 41st Parliament and, that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee at that time on the subject be taken into consideration by the Committee in the current session;

That the Committee hear from witnesses on this study on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

That the total number of witnesses for this study be divided among the recognized parties according to their standings in the House of Commons: six (6) for the Government (Conservative Party), four (4) for the Official Opposition (New Democratic Party) and two (2) for the other opposition party (Liberal Party);

That the Committee members submit their prioritized witness list, with the witnesses’ complete contact information to the Clerk no later than Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.; and

That the Committee give drafting instruction to the Analysts for the report from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013.

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

At 11:36 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:38 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Caitlin Imrie and Maia Welbourne made statements and answered questions.

At 12:53 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.