It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $19,250, for the study of recent reforms to the International Student Program, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $500, for the briefing on the 2024 Annual report to Parliament on Immigration, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the deadline for the submission of briefs in relation to the study of recent reforms to the International Student Program be at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, December 6, 2024.

At 11:11 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:13 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Jenny Kwan gave notice of the following motion:

That, in light of the failure of IRCC’s special immigration measure to reunite Canadian Gazan family members to facilitate safe and timely exit from the besieged Gaza Strip for family members of Canadians and permanent residents, and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study to examine the development and execution of the Government of Canada's special immigration measures to reunite and help bring Canadian Gazan family members to safety, including extended family; that the committee also consider Canada's use of it's diplomatic relations to help facilitate the free movement of persons authorized to travel to Canada; and that this study consist of no less than four meetings; that the committee consider testimony from affected families as well as Canadian civil society; that the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship appear for one hour with departmental officials along with the officials to appear for one additional hour; that the Minister of Foreign Affairs appear for one hour with departmental officials along with the officials to appear for one additional hour; and further that pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the committee order the production of all documents and records related to the policy-making considerations that led to the specific dimensions of the temporary public policy that opened on January 9, 2024, including the 1,000-person cap, the gradual issuance of access codes and delays in receiving codes experienced by many applicants, and the information requested from applicants on additional screening forms; that, while respecting s. 19, s. 23, and s. 69 of the Access to Information Act, these details be provided within 30 days of the adoption of this motion and relevant documents are released in full to the public; that the committee report its findings to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109 the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Bronwyn May made a statement and, with Roula Eatrides and Julie Spattz, answered questions.

Brad Redekopp moved, — That, given that the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has failed to appear before this committee on eight separate invitations dating back to February 2024, including on the following matters:

• Supplementary Estimates (C);
• The Mandatory Provident Fund;
• Criminal cartels exploiting visa-free travel;
• Supplementary Estimates (A) and Main Estimates for fiscal year 2024/25;
• The 2023 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration;
• The Labour Market Impact Assessment study;
• The Auditor General’s 9th Report on Processing Applications for Permanent Residence; and
• The impact of the recent changes to International Students Program study;

  the committee reports its disappointment to the House in the Minister’s repeated failure to appear, and summons the Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship to testify before the committee for no less than two hours, on November 18, to account for the Minister’s absences and provide testimony on matters relevant to their department’s mandate.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Larry Maguire, Greg McLean, Brad Redekopp — 4;

NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Paul Chiang, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jean Yip, Salma Zahid — 6.

At 12:22 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:29 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Mikal Skuterud, Chad Gaffield and Naomi Alboim made statements and answered questions.