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CITI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

(Meeting No. 11)

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1998

 

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 11:15 o’clock a.m., this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Stan Dromisky, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Norman Doyle, Stan Dromisky, Raymonde Folco, Louise Hardy, Sophia Leung, Steve Mahoney, John N. McKay, Grant McNally, Maria Minna, Deepak Obhrai and John Reynolds.

 

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Margaret Young, Research Officer.

 

Witnesses: From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Greg Fyffe, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Program Development; Brian Grant, Acting Director General, Enforcement Branch; Susan Leith, Director, Investigation and Removal, Enforcement Branch; Neil Cochrane, Director, Case Presentation, Enforcement Branch.

 

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed consideration of Recommendation 155 of the Immigration Legislative Advisory Review Group Report entitled "Not just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration", particularly issues relating to removal and detention.

 

The witnesses gave explanations on the Flow Charts they presented and answered questions.

 

By unanimous consent, the Chairman presented the SECOND REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure, which is as follows:

 

Your Sub-Committee met on Thursday February 5, 1998, to consider the future business of the Committee, and has agreed to make the following recommendations:

 

1.-- That the Report of the Auditor General, Chapter 25, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Immigration and Refugee Board -- the processing of Refugee claims, particularly that part which deals with removal of rejected refugee claims, be considered on Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. with the officials of the Office of the Auditor General.

 

2.-- That, in response to a letter dated January 23, 1998 from the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, addressed to Mr. Dromisky, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, relating to Recommendation 155, detention and removal, the officials of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration be invited to appear on Wednesday, February 18, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. and on Thursday, February 19, 1998 at 11:00 a.m.

 

3.-- That the Report of the Legislative Review Advisory Group, entitled "Not just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration" – Recommendation 155: Given the high level of public concern and the need to restore public confidence in detention and removal from Canada, these issues should be referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration for consideration, be considered on Wednesday, February 25, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. with the members from the Legislative Review Advisory Group.

 

4.-- That the subject-matter of modern war criminals be considered on Thursday, February 26, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. with the officials of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

 

 

5.-- That, in relation to its study on detention and removals, as suggested in Recommendation 155 of the Immigration Legislative Review: Not just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration, the Committee be authorized to travel, after March 9, 1998, to Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.

 

Raymonde Folco moved, - That the SECOND REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

 

On motion of Sohia Leung, it was agreed - That the SECOND REPORT of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be amended by deleting paragraph 5.

 

And the question being put on the motion, as amended, it was carried.

 

On motion of Raymonde Folco, it was agreed, - That reasonable travelling accommodation and living expenses, as per the regulations established by the Board of Internal Economy be paid to Robert Trempe, Chair of the Immigraion Legislative Advisory Review Group who will be appearing before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Wednesday, February 25, 1998.

 

And questioning continuing.

 

At 12:40 o’clock p.m., the Committee adjourned until Wednesday, February 25, 1998.

 

SANTOSH SIRPAUL

 

 

 

Clerk of the Committee