CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 209 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

Murray Calder moved, — That Raymonde Folco be elected Chair of the Committee.

John McKay moved, — That Sarkis Assadourian be elected Chair of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, Sarkis Assadourian was declared duly elected Chair.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Sarkis Assadourian, it was agreed, — That Raymonde Folco be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Réal Ménard moved, — That Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Deborah Grey moved, — That Diane Ablonczy be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral was declared duly elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Sarkis Assadourian took the Chair.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

Marlene Catterall moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing in the French version only the words “du président” with the words “de la présidence”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Marlene Catterall and it was agreed to.

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

Pat Martin moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including a member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Marlene Catterall moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing in the French version only the words “du président” with the words “de la présidence”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Marlene Catterall and it was agreed to.

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

Pat Martin moved, — That witnesses be given 15 minutes to make their opening statement; That during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: On the first round of questioning, 9 minutes to a representative of the Conservative Party, 7 minutes to a representative of the Bloc Québécois, 7 minutes to a representative of the NDP and 7 minutes to a representative of the Liberal Party on the following rounds of questioning, 5 minutes per party alternating between the government and opposition parties; and That the allocation of time for questioning be applied for all witnesses, including Ministers.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Raymonde Folco, Deborah Grey, Pat Martin, Réal Ménard, Gary Schellenberger — 6; NAYS: Murray Calder, Marlene Catterall, Rodger Cuzner, John McKay, Deepak Obhrai, Raymond Simard, Diane St-Jacques, Andrew Telegdi — 8.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That consideration of the motion on time limits for witnesses be postponed until the next meeting.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Clerk be instructed to draft two possible options on time limits for witnesses.

On motion of Raymond Simard, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Gary Schellenberger, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

On motion of Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Gary Schellenberger, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of Marlene Catterall, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

Gary Schellenberger moved, — That when the Chair is unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the committee, the Chair shall designate a member of the committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting and such an acting Chair shall be vested with all the powers of the Chairman at or during the said meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the motion be amended in line 1 by striking out the word “is“ and by replacing it with the following: “and Vice-Chairs are”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Raymonde Folco and it was agreed to.

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

Raymonde Folco moved, — That whenever an Order in Council appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each Member of the Committee a copy of the said appointment with the appointee's curriculum vitae, and in any other case where the Minister makes an appointment, that the Committee be informed, and the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each Member of the Committee a copy of the said appointment with the appointee's curriculum vitae.

Debate arose thereon.

Marlene Catterall moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “curriculum vitae” the following: “and that appointments shall be listed on the next agenda of the Committee and the Committee shall decide whether it wishes to review the appointment”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Marlene Catterall and it was agreed to.

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

At 4:14 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.