CIMM Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met in camera at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, David Tilson, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee continue its study “Standing on Guard for Thee: Ensuring that Canada’s Immigration System is Secure” to expand on study topics where little or no evidence has been heard. To do this, the Committee:

• will hear from additional witnesses beginning on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, until late September 2012;

• will hold three or four meetings on visas, specifically to learn more about the reasons for denying temporary resident visas on security grounds or for the falsification of documents;

• will invite officials from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and from the Canada Border Services Agency to appear once again for one hour in early October; and

• wishes to visit the three detention facilities in Canada.

It was agreed, — That the Committee then hold a meeting to instruct analysts on drafting the report and after which study the draft report for two meetings, or more if necessary.

It was agreed, — That the evidence pertaining to visas will not plead individual cases, although examples of such cases could be provided as examples. In this respect, the issue of visas should be studied within the context of visas denied for reasons involving falsified documents and for security reasons.

It was agreed, — That Committee members submit their prioritized witness lists, with the witnesses’ complete contact information, to the Clerk no later than Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at noon.

It was agreed, — That the total number of witnesses be divided among the recognized parties according to their standings in the House of Commons: 17 witnesses for the Government (Conservative Party), 11 witnesses for the Official Opposition (New Democratic Party) and 4 witnesses for the other opposition party (Liberal Party).

It was agreed, — That in relation to the study “Standing on Guard for Thee: Ensuring that Canada’s Immigration System is Secure,” the proposed budget in the amount of $37,288.80, for the Committee’s travel to Vancouver, British Columbia; Toronto, Ontario; and Laval, Quebec, between June and October 2012, be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee. The delegation for this trip would consist of up to six Committee members, divided as follows: the Committee Chair, three members from the Conservative Party and two members from the Opposition.

It was agreed, — That the evidence and documentation received by the Committee specifically and only in relation to biometrics, during its study on Bill C-31, Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, be taken into consideration by the Committee in relation to its study “Standing on Guard for Thee: Ensuring that Canada’s Immigration System is Secure”.

At 5:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.