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
Meeting No. 31
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:42 p.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Joe Fontana, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Rob Anders, Jean Augustine, Leon Benoit, Joe Fontana, Sophia Leung, Rick Limoges, Steve Mahoney, Pat Martin and John McKay.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Joan Atkinson, Acting Deputy Minister, Policy and Program Development; Daniel Therrien, Senior Legal Counsel; Elizabeth Tromp, Director General, Enforcement Branch; Dougall Aucoin, Director, Economic Policy.
Pursuant to its Order of Reference of Tuesday, June 6, 2000, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-31, An Act respecting immigration to Canada and the granting of refugee protection to persons who are displaced, persecuted or in danger (See Minutes of Proceedings, Thursday, June 8, 2000 , Meeting No. 30).
The Committee proceeded to plan its future business.
It was agreed, - That the Committee commence hearings on Bill C-31, An Act respecting immigration to Canada and the granting of refugee protection to persons who are displaced, persecuted or in danger, in the Fall 2000.
It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to issue a Press Release designating Fall 2000 as the date when public hearings will commence on Bill C-31;
- That organizations and individuals who are interested in appearing before the Committee or submitting a brief, are advised to contact the Clerk of the Committee of their desire to appear no later than July 31, 2000. Written submissions are to be sent to the Clerk of the Committee no later than the middle of August 2000; and
- That the Committee reserves the right to select witnesses who will be invited to appear before the Committee.
It was agreed, - That the Committee advertise on CPAC informing Canadians that requests to appear on Bill C-31, should be made to the Clerk no later than July 31, 2000, or they may submit a written submission no later than the middle of August 2000.
It was agreed, - That Members submit a List of potential witnesses to the Clerk of the Committee as soon as possible.
It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized in consultation with the Researcher and Clerk of the Committee to Group different organizations so that a number of witnesses could be heard.
It was agreed, - That in addition to its regular hours of sittings on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the Committee schedule other meetings.
It was agreed, - That pursuant to its Order of Reference of June 6, 2000 relating to Bill C-31, An Act respecting immigration to Canada and the granting of refugee protection to persons who are displaced, persecuted or in danger, the Committee be composed of Ten (10) Members of the Committee, Two (2) Canadian Alliance members, One (1) Bloc member, One (1) N.D.P. member, One (1) P.C. member and Five (5) Liberals, and that they be authorized to hold public hearings during the month of October 2000 in Eight Cities, namely, Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, London, Montreal and Halifax, and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.
It was agreed, - that the Committee include Fort Erie and Windsor to the list of cities for public hearings.
It was agreed, - That the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration be granted a travel budget in the amount of $238,445.66 in order to hold public hearings in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, London, Montreal and Halifax, and that additional funds be allocated to cover expenses for Fort Erie and Windsor with respect to Bill C-31, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to report to the House the Committee's decision to travel.
The Chair called Clause 2.
Joan Atkinson gave a technical briefing on Bill C-31 and, with Daniel Therrien, answered questions.
At 5:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Santosh Sirpaul
Clerk of the Committee