CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, the Chair, Norman Doyle, presiding.

On motion of Bill Siksay, 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 Lui Temelkovski, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

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

On motion of Bill Siksay, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that three members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Johanne Deschamps, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

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

On motion of Johanne Deschamps, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Lui Temelkovski, 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.

On motion of Bill Siksay, it was agreed, — That 48 hours'notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

On motion of Johanne Deschamps, it was agreed, — That when the Chair and Vice-Chairs are 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 Chair at or during the said meeting.

Lui Temelkovski moved, — That whenever an Order in Council appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the said appointment with the appointee’s curriculum vitae.

By unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

On motion of Bill Siksay, it was agreed, — That witnesses from an organization be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner (alternating between Government and Opposition parties) until all Members have had a chance to participate, after which, if time permits a new round will commence.

On motion of Bill Siksay, it was agreed, — That, whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and appropriate senior officials to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee, if possible.

On motion of Lui Temelkovski, it was agreed, — That whenever a chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any appropriate senior officials to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee, if possible.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Minister be invited on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 to give his vision on the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee hold a future business meeting on Monday, May 15, 2006.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That officials from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada be invited on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, to give an overview of the Department.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Chair from the Immigration Refugee Board be invited on Monday, May 29, 2006 for one hour, to give an overview of the Board.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — To invite representatives from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on Monday, May 29, 2006 for one hour, to give the Committee an update on the Safe Third Country Agreement.

At 3:50 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.