CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Andrew Telegdi, presiding.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: Updating Canada's Citizenship Laws : It's time.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report supplementary or dissenting opinions provided that it is no more than 3 pages in length and submitted electronically in both official languages to the Clerk of the Committee, no later than 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 5, 2005.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House..

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and Analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Committee print 550 copies of its report in a bilingual format.

The Chair presented the Fourth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

It was agreed, - That the Committee invite Departmental Officials on Thursday, October 6, 2005 to update the Committee on the following:

- Refugee Numbers

- Safe Third Country Agreement – (what stats are there and what monitoring agreement was finally reached with the UNHCR)

- Processing of Lost Canadians and status of their children

- Processing of Viet-Phi

- Plan for people without status

- Plan for reuniting grandparents

- War brides update

- Why the 1 % Immigration levels have not been met – Information on the process for setting immigration target numbers

- Any labour market studies undertaken for specific professions (e.g. engineers) as part of the foreign credential recognition efforts

- Bill C-283: if CIC accepts sureties in Canada in some situations why would it be administratively burdensome to do the same at visa posts overseas?

- The Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) (a response to Madame Faille’s motion)

It was agreed, - That on October 18 and 20, 2005, the Committee work on a draft report on Family Reunification

It was agreed, - That on October 25 and 27, 2005, the Committee hear witnesses and Clause by Clause of C-283

It was agreed, - That the Committee invite the Minister to appear on November 1, 2005, to speak on the Departmental Supplementary Estimates

It was agreed, - That on November 3, 2005, the Committee commence their study on the Citizenship Bill – if the Bill is tabled, and if not, commence work on a draft report on Recognition of the International Experience and Credentials of Immigrants

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

At 3:39 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.