CIMM Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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Minutes of Proceedings
The Minister made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
Michelle Rempel moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the government’s recent decision to waive the Immigration Loans Program repayment requirement for Syrian refugees; that the Committee examine whether waiving this requirement for Syrian refugees and not other refugee cohorts constitutes a violation of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; that this study be comprised of no less than four meetings to be held prior to May 1, 2016; and that the Committee report its findings to the House.
Randeep Sarai moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words "that the Committee examine whether waiving this requirement for Syrian refugees and not for other refugee cohorts constitutes a violation of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; that this study be comprised of no less than four meetings to be held prior to May 1, 2016; and that the Committee report its findings to the House" with the words "and going forward, that the Transportation Loans Program be studied as it relates to all refugees".
Jenny Kwan moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding the words "and that a written legal opinion be sought as to whether waiving this requirement for Syrian refugees constitutes a violation of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms" after the word "refugees".
Debate arose thereon.
After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Jenny Kwan and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Jenny Kwan, Michelle Rempel, Bob Saroya, Shannon Stubbs — 4;
NAYS: Shaun Chen, Ali Ehsassi, Randeep Sarai, Marwan Tabbara, Salma Zahid — 5.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Randeep Sarai and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shaun Chen, Ali Ehsassi, Jenny Kwan, Randeep Sarai, Marwan Tabbara, Salma Zahid — 6;
NAYS: Michelle Rempel, Bob Saroya, Shannon Stubbs — 3.
After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Jenny Kwan, Michelle Rempel, Bob Saroya, Shannon Stubbs — 4;
NAYS: Shaun Chen, Ali Ehsassi, Randeep Sarai, Marwan Tabbara, Salma Zahid — 5.
At 12:17 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 12:26 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.
It was agreed, — That the first report of the Subcommittee, which reads as follows, be concurred in:
Your Subcommittee met on Thursday, February 18, 2016, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:
1. That the Minister appear before the Committee on either Tuesday, February 23, 2016 or Thursday, February 25, 2016 for two (2) hours, subject to his availability.
2. That the Committee undertake studies on the following broad topics – Zimbabwean and Haitian Nationals in Canada, Syrian Refugees, and Family Reunification.
3. That studies on the Estimates, legislation, and reports tabled pursuant to statue be studied in a timely manner, and may interrupt any studies currently being conducted by the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 108(2).
4. That the first topic of study be Zimbabwean and Haitian Nationals in Canada; that two (2) two (2) hour meetings be dedicated to the study; that the study begin next week with a one (1) hour question and answer session with departmental officials; that other witnesses appear for one (1) hour on March 8, 2016, and that a draft report be considered on March 22.
5. That, for the study on Syrian Refugees, each party forward a list of study parameters to the Clerk of the Committee, and that the analysts consider these lists to prepare terms of reference for the study, and that these terms of reference be discussed by the Committee during the second hour on March 8, 2016.
6. That the analysts prepare terms of reference information on the topic of Family Reunification, and that the study begin with Committee consideration of this information the week of April 11, 2016..
It was agreed, — That the Committee study the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2015-16 on Thursday, March 10, 2016.
It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the situation of Zimbabwean and Haitian nationals in Canada; that the study include an examination of the temporary suspension of removals order; that the study consider the six month window for permanent residence applications and the resources made available to support applications; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
At 12:50 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.