CIMM Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 46

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 11:03 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Norman Doyle, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Omar Alghabra, Barry Devolin, Norman Doyle, Meili Faille, Raymond Gravel, Nina Grewal, Rahim Jaffer, Ed Komarnicki, Bill Siksay, Hon. Andrew Telegdi and Blair Wilson.

Acting Members present: Hon. Dan McTeague for Hon. Jim Karygiannis and Hon. Raymond Simard for Omar Alghabra.

Other Members present: Nicole Demers.

In attendance: House of Commons: William Farrell, Committee Clerk . Library of Parliament: Andrew Kitching, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Malcolm Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy; Micheline Aucoin, Director General, Refugees Branch; Eric Stevens, Legal Counsel, Legal Services. Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada: Paul Aterman, Director General, Operations Branch; Krista Daley, Senior General Counsel. As individuals: Stephen Gallagher, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Concordia University; Peter Showler, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, March 21, 2007, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill C-280, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (coming into force of sections 110, 111 and 171).

Malcolm Brown made a statement, and with Micheline Aucoin and Eric Stevens, answered questions.

Ed Komarnicki moved, — That the committee extend the hearing time of these particular witnesses so additional questions could be asked.

Debate arose thereon.

On a point of order, the chair ruled that there is no time limit on the length of speeches by members in committee.

The ruling of the chair was appealed. The question, shall the decision of the chair be sustained, was put. The decision of the Chair was negatived by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

At 12:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:11 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Paul Aterman made a statement and answered questions.

Andrew Telegdi moved, — That the Chair not receive any dilatory motions, quorum calls, or requests for unanimous consent, and proceed with the meeting as per the agenda and the timeline already established at the beginning of the committee’s meeting.

Rahim Jaffer moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “unless there is a need to put more questions on this issue of implementing RAD” at the end of the motion.

On a point of order, the Chair ruled that there is no time limit on the length of speeches by members in committee.

The ruling of the chair was appealed. The question shall the decision of the chair be sustained was put. The decision of the Chair was negatived by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Blair Wilson moved, — That the amendment by Mr. Jaffer be deleted and that the original motion be allowed to stand.

The chair ruled the sub amendment inadmissible as the appropriate course of action would be to vote against the amendment.

Debate on the amendment resumed.

On a point of order, the chair ruled that debate on the amendment would continue until no further members wish to speak to it.

The ruling of the chair was appealed. The question, shall the decision of the chair be sustained, was put. The decision of the Chair was negatived by a show of hands: YEAS 4; NAYS 7.

The question was put on the amendment, and it was negatived by a show of hands: YEAS 4; NAYS 7.

Ed Komarnicki moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “except that professor Peter Showler be allowed to testify at a later date”, after the motion.

At 1:21 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Samy Agha
Clerks of the Committee

2007/04/03 10:17 a.m.