On motion of Geoff Regan, it was agreed, — That Salma Zahid be elected Chair of the committee.

Salma Zahid took the Chair.

At 12:35 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Bob Saroya, it was agreed, — That Raquel Dancho be elected First Vice-Chair of the committee.

On motion of Soraya Martinez Ferrada, it was agreed, — That Christine Normandin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the committee.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members, namely the Chair and one member from each recognized party; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including two (2) members of the opposition and two (2) members of the government but, when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.

Sukh Dhaliwal moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statements; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows:

Round 1: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party.

For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes. Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes, New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Sukh Dhaliwal, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statements; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows:

Round 1: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party.

For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes. Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes, New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That witnesses be given five (5) minutes for their opening statements; that whenever possible, witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: Round 1: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party. For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes, New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes, Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

Sukh Dhaliwal moved, — That the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Sukh Dhaliwal, — That the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees

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

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk’s office for consultation by members of the committee or by their staff.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That a 48 hours’ notice, interpreted as two nights, shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that: 1. the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST) from Monday to Friday; 2. the motion be distributed to Members in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; and 3. notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day and that when the committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions may be moved.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, 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 with the clerk 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 of 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.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That any motion to go in camera be debatable and amendable; and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes: a. to consider a draft report; b. to attend briefings concerning national security; c. to consider lists of witnesses; and d. for any other reason with the unanimous consent of the committee; and, that all votes taken in camera with exception of votes regarding the consideration of draft reports be recorded in the Minutes of Proceedings including how each member voted when the recorded votes are requested.

Soraya Martinez Ferrada moved, — That pursuant to standing order 108(2), the committee conduct a study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigration in Canada, that the study take into account the effects of the pandemic on international students, that the committee considers actions taken to address public health measures and exemptions affecting family reunification, including identifying best practices in the development of further assistance to international students, families, and foreign workers, that the committee hold at least 6 meetings to hear from witnesses; that the committee report its findings to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

Debate arose thereon.

Raquel Dancho moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Dean Allison, Raquel Dancho, Jasraj Singh Hallan, Jenny Kwan, Christine Normandin, Bob Saroya — 6;

NAYS: Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Geoff Regan, Marc Serré — 5.

Raquel Dancho moved, — That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration commence a study on examining the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s immigration system, and that this study evaluate, review and examine all issues relevant to this situation, including the following:

1. application backlogs and processing times for the different streams of family reunification and the barriers preventing the timely reunification of loved ones, such as denials of temporary resident visas because of section 179(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the ongoing closures of Visa Application Centers;
2. examine the government’s decision to reintroduce a lottery system for the reunification of parents and grandparents; to compare it to previous iterations of application processes for this stream of family reunification, including a look at processing times and the criteria required for successful sponsorship;
3. temporary resident visa processing, authorization to travel to Canada by individuals with an expired Confirmation of Permanent Residency; use of expired security and background checks for permanent immigration;
4. to expedite and facilitate the issuing of visas and study permits for international students and that this study pay particular attention to the difficulties encountered by certain groups of international students (such as students from francophone Africa) and to the usual administrative delays and additional delays caused by the COVID 19 pandemic;
5. refugee resettlement program, meeting the Government of Canada’s international commitments to settle convention refugees in Canada, work of Canadian civil society groups to bring privately sponsored refugees to Canada and to extend a life boat to the people of Hong Kong facing persecution under the new National Security Law;
6. severe and long-term economic impact of reduced immigration to Canada in 2020-2023;
7. administrative costs and delays related to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and consideration of possible solutions, including granting open work permits on a sector-by-sector basis to facilitate labour mobility; that LMIAs be biennial; that the duration of work permits be extended; that three-year work permits be extended annually;
8. technological capability of the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and Passport Canada to work remotely or virtually, meet service standards and enforce applicable laws.
9. that all testimonies received during a study pursuant to this motion be deemed included in further studies;
10. the two pilot projects for Caregivers introduced as of June 18, 2019: (1) Home Child Care Provider Pilot; and (2) Home Support Worker Pilot; that the study examines the criteria and its effect on the caregivers who are trying to qualify under these programs toward the path for permanent status; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
11. that this study begin no later than October 27, 2020, that the Committee table its findings in the House upon completion and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Raquel Dancho, — That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration commence a study on examining the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s immigration system, and that this study evaluate, review and examine all issues relevant to this situation, including the following:

1. application backlogs and processing times for the different streams of family reunification and the barriers preventing the timely reunification of loved ones, such as denials of temporary resident visas because of section 179(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the ongoing closures of Visa Application Centers;
2. examine the government’s decision to reintroduce a lottery system for the reunification of parents and grandparents; to compare it to previous iterations of application processes for this stream of family reunification, including a look at processing times and the criteria required for successful sponsorship;
3. temporary resident visa processing, authorization to travel to Canada by individuals with an expired Confirmation of Permanent Residency; use of expired security and background checks for permanent immigration;
4. to expedite and facilitate the issuing of visas and study permits for international students and that this study pay particular attention to the people of Hong Kong, the difficulties encountered by certain groups of international students (such as students from francophone Africa) and to the usual administrative delays and additional delays caused by the COVID 19 pandemic;
5. refugee resettlement program, meeting the Government of Canada’s international commitments to settle convention refugees in Canada, work of Canadian civil society groups to bring privately sponsored refugees to Canada and to extend a life boat to the people of Hong Kong facing persecution under the new National Security Law;
6. severe and long-term economic impact of reduced immigration to Canada in 2020-2023;
7. administrative costs and delays related to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and consideration of possible solutions, including granting open work permits on a sector-by-sector basis to facilitate labour mobility; that LMIAs be biennial; that the duration of work permits be extended; that three-year work permits be extended annually;
8. technological capability of the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and Passport Canada to work remotely or virtually, meet service standards and enforce applicable laws.
9. That all testimonies received during a study pursuant to this motion be deemed included in further studies;
10. the two pilot projects for Caregivers introduced as of June 18, 2019: (1) Home Child Care Provider Pilot; and (2) Home Support Worker Pilot; that the study examines the criteria and its effect on the caregivers who are trying to qualify under these programs toward the path for permanent status; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
11. That this study begin no later than October 27, 2020, that the Committee table its findings in the House upon completion and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

Sukh Dhaliwal moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Geoff Regan, Marc Serré — 5;

NAYS: Dean Allison, Raquel Dancho, Jasraj Singh Hallan, Jenny Kwan, Christine Normandin, Bob Saroya — 6.

At 12:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Raquel Dancho, — That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration commence a study on examining the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s immigration system, and that this study evaluate, review and examine all issues relevant to this situation, including the following:

1. application backlogs and processing times for the different streams of family reunification and the barriers preventing the timely reunification of loved ones, such as denials of temporary resident visas because of section 179(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the ongoing closures of Visa Application Centers;
2. examine the government’s decision to reintroduce a lottery system for the reunification of parents and grandparents; to compare it to previous iterations of application processes for this stream of family reunification, including a look at processing times and the criteria required for successful sponsorship;
3. temporary resident visa processing, authorization to travel to Canada by individuals with an expired Confirmation of Permanent Residency; use of expired security and background checks for permanent immigration;
4. the facilitation and issuing of visas and study permits for international students, with special attention to the experience of groups of international students (such as students from francophone Africa) and to the usual administrative delays and additional delays caused by the COVID 19 pandemic;
5. refugee resettlement program, meeting the Government of Canada’s international commitments to settle convention refugees in Canada, work of Canadian civil society groups to bring privately sponsored refugees to Canada, and to extend a life boat to the people of Hong Kong facing persecution under the new National Security Law;
6. severe and long-term economic impact of reduced immigration to Canada in 2020-2023;
7. administrative costs and delays related to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and consideration of possible solutions, including granting open work permits on a sector-by-sector basis to facilitate labour mobility; that LMIAs be biennial; that the duration of work permits be extended; that three-year work permits be extended annually;
8. technological capability of the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and Passport Canada to work remotely or virtually, meet service standards and enforce applicable laws.
9. that all testimonies received during a study pursuant to this motion be deemed included in further studies;
10. the two pilot projects for Caregivers introduced as of June 18, 2019: (1) Home Child Care Provider Pilot; and (2) Home Support Worker Pilot; that the study examines the criteria and its effect on the caregivers who are trying to qualify under these programs toward the path for permanent status; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
11. that this study begin no later than October 27, 2020, that the Committee table its findings in the House upon completion and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

Soraya Martinez Ferrada moved, — That the committee do now adjourn.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Geoff Regan, Marc Serré, Salma Zahid — 6;

NAYS: Dean Allison, Raquel Dancho, Jasraj Singh Hallan, Jenny Kwan, Bob Saroya — 5.