CIMM Committee Meeting
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Minutes of Proceedings
Jenny Kwan gave notice of the following motion:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study into the targeted exploitation scheme faced by 700 Punjabi international students in which they were unknowingly defrauded by a "ghost" immigration consultant who used inauthentic admission letters for their student visa application; that this study be comprised of two meetings; and that the study consider:
a) how this situation was allowed to happen;
b) why fraudulent documents were not detected until years later when the students began to apply for permanent status;
c) the significant harm experienced by students including financial loss and distress;
d) measures necessary to help the students to have their deportation stayed, inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived, and provide a pathway to permanent status; and
e) that the committee also examine how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
Brad Redekopp moved, — That the committee resume debate on the motion of Brad Redekopp moved on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, which read as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee conduct a study into news reports that international students admitted into Canada with valid study permits were issued fraudulent college acceptance letters by immigration consultants, and are now facing deportation, and that this study undertake at least three meetings; that the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for one meeting along with his departmental officials to testify; that the committee invite the Minister responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency for one meeting along with his departmental officials to testify; that the committee invite affected international students and representatives from Colleges & Institutes Canada; and that the committee request that the Canada Border Services Agency temporarily suspend the deportation of affected international students until those selected as witnesses can testify before the committee.
The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Larry Maguire, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
The witnesses answered questions.
The committee resumed its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.
The committee resumed clause-by-clause consideration on new Clause 1.4 of the Bill.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
24 (2) The Department of Citizenship and Immigration shall arrange for all oath of citizenship ceremonies to be conducted in-person, including in rural and remote communities.”
At 4:19 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.
At 5:12 p.m., the sitting resumed.
At 5:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.
At 6:07 p.m., the sitting resumed.
At 6:14 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.
At 7:08 p.m., the sitting resumed.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Randy Hoback, Dan Mazier, Brad Redekopp — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
24 (3) The oath of citizenship cannot be completed through an online web form. ”
Debate arose thereon.
Ziad Aboultaif moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding the words “or click through option” after the words “web form”.
After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Ziad Aboultaif and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Randy Hoback, Dan Mazier, Brad Redekopp — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
The question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Randy Hoback, Dan Mazier, Brad Redekopp — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
24 (4) The Department of Citizenship and Immigration shall not create an online web form for the oath of citizenship to be completed.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Randy Hoback, Dan Mazier, Brad Redekopp — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
24 (5) Should a person be unable to attend an in-person citizenship ceremony, the Minister may waive this requirement only on compassionate grounds and a virtual option should be offered in those circumstances as requested.”
Dan Mazier moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “only on compassionate grounds and a virtual option should” with the words “and a virtual option”.
Debate arose thereon.
At 9:42 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 9:46 p.m., the sitting resumed.
At 9:58 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 3:36 p.m., on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the sitting resumed.
The committee resumed consideration of the subamendment of Dan Mazier, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “only on compassionate grounds and a virtual option should” with the words “and a virtual option”.
Brad Redekopp moved, — That the committee resume debate on the motion of Brad Redekopp moved on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, which read as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee conduct a study into news reports that international students admitted into Canada with valid study permits were issued fraudulent college acceptance letters by immigration consultants, and are now facing deportation, and that this study undertake at least three meetings; that the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for one meeting along with his departmental officials to testify; that the committee invite the Minister responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency for one meeting along with his departmental officials to testify; that the committee invite affected international students and representatives from Colleges & Institutes Canada; and that the committee request that the Canada Border Services Agency temporarily suspend the deportation of affected international students until those selected as witnesses can testify before the committee..
The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
The question was put on the subamendment of Dan Mazier and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS : Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
The question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
24(6) where citizenship ceremonies are conducted virtually, they must
a. be recorded for the purposes of confirming the oath of citizenship has been appropriately carried out
b. be geolocated within the territory of Canada ”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following
24(7) where a citizenship ceremony has been scheduled, the Department must provide the person with at least seven days’ notice prior to the date of the ceremony.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following
24(8) where a citizenship ceremony has been scheduled for a person, employers in federally regulated industries must grant that person leave for one day to accommodate the ceremony.”
Debate arose thereon.
At 3:55 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.
At 4:47 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following
24(9) The Minister must disclose in advance to Members of Parliament the location, time, and date of all citizenship ceremonies that will be attended by their constituents, either in-person or virtual.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
“1.49 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following
24(10) A document of citizenship must be provided immediately upon completion of the oath of citizenship.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Part VI, section 24.1
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on enumerated days of significance. The Minister or the Department must take steps to offer alternative days in accordance with the respect and promotion of Canada’s multicultural identity.”
The question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Garnett Genuis, Tom Kmiec, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Part VI, section 24.1
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (1) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Simbang Gabi.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Part VI, section 24.1
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (2) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Undas.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (3) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled during the Lunar New Year.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (4) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
The question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (5) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Diwali.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (6) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled during Navratri.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“”1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (7) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Holi.
The question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (8) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Vaisakhi.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
At 5:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 5:36 p.m., the sitting resumed.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (9) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (10) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Bandi Chhor Divas.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (11) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on the first day of Ramadan.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (12) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Eid al-Fitr.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan — 7.
At 5:57 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 6:34 p.m., the sitting resumed.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (13) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Eid al-Adha.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (14) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Muharram (Islamic New Year).”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (15) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Newroz.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (16) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Yalda Night.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (17) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Thai Pongal.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp — 3;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (18) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Puthandu (Tamil New Year).”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp — 3;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (19) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Vesak.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (20) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Hanukkah.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (21) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). ”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp — 3;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (22) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Yom Kippur.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (23) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Orthodox New Year.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (24) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Nayrouz (Coptic New Year).”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (25) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Chuseok.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (26) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Onam.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
“1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:
Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada’s multicultural identity
24.1 (27) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Têt.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 7.
Clause 2 carried on division.
On new Clause 3,
Michelle Rempel Garner moved, — That Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 22 on page 1 the following new clause:“Section 27.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following after (d):
(e) specifying required timelines for citizenship applications to be processed by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to ensure reasonable timelines for applicants are met. ”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Michelle Rempel Garner and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Wilson Miao — 6.
“Section 27.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following after (d):
(f) requiring that service standards of the department in managing application backlogs are tied to bonus compensation at the EX-1 and DM-1 levels and above on an annual basis, where bonus compensation is withheld or wholly rescinded should the departmental backlogs exceed more than five per cent of total applications.”
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was contrary to the principle of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
Whereupon, Tom Kmiec appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Soraya Martinez Ferrada — 7;
NAYS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4.
“Section 27.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following after (d):
(g) prescribing the manner in which foreign credentials may be regarded as equivalent to Canadian credentials as per previously approved Acts of Parliament, in a manner that may act as a step towards gaining citizenship.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Soraya Martinez Ferrada — 6.
“Section 27.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following after (d):
(h) overriding licensing boards under federal jurisdiction and provincial licensing boards with regards to foreign credentials, which include, but are not limited to, numerous fields such as medicine, nursing, pharmacology, engineering, among others, to enable immigrants to practice their professions in Canada, which may serve as a step towards gaining citizenship.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 4;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Soraya Martinez Ferrada — 7.
“Coming into Force
3 This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, but no later than the 548th day after the day on which this Act receives royal assent.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Fayçal El-Khoury and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Tom Kmiec, Jenny Kwan, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
The Title carried.
The Bill, as amended, was adopted on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Anju Dhillon, Fayçal El-Khoury, Jenny Kwan, Soraya Martinez Ferrada – 7;
NAYS: Tom Kmiec, Rick Perkins, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner – 4.
Shall the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House?
Debate arose thereon.
At 8:40 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 8:43 p.m., the sitting resumed.
At 9:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 7:24 p.m., on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, the sitting resumed.
The committee resumed consideration of the question:
Shall the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House?
The question was put and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde – 7;
NAYS: Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner – 4.
ORDERED, — That the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House.
Jenny Kwan moved, — That, following news reports that international students admitted into Canada with valid study permits were issued fraudulent college acceptance letters by immigration consultants, and are now facing deportation, the committee issue a news release to condemn the actions of these fraudulent ‘ghost consultants’ and call on the Canada Border Services Agency to immediately stay pending deportations of affected international students, waive inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation and provide an alternate pathway to permanent status for those impacted, such as the Humanitarian and Compassionate application process or a broad regularization program.
Debate arose thereon.
Sukh Dhaliwal moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “regularization program,” the following: “and that the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for one hour, the Minister of Public Safety for one hour, and department officials for one hour each to provide a briefing on the situation, for a total of four hours”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Sukh Dhaliwal and it was agreed to.
The debate continued.
Brad Redekopp moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “provide an alternate pathway to permanent status” with the words “provide a path to reapply for permanent residency”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brad Redekopp and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
The debate continued.
Tom Kmiec moved, — That the motion be amended by adding before the words “the committee invite the Minister” the following: “notwithstanding any usual practice or previous motion adopted by this committee”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Tom Kmiec, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5;
NAYS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6.
The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Tom Kmiec, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde, Philip Lawrence, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
The motion, as amended, read as follows:
That, following news reports that international students admitted into Canada with valid study permits were issued fraudulent college acceptance letters by immigration consultants, and are now facing deportation, the committee issue a news release to condemn the actions of these fraudulent ‘ghost consultants’ and call on the Canada Border Services Agency to immediately stay pending deportations of affected international students, waive inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation and provide an alternate pathway to permanent status for those impacted, such as the Humanitarian and Compassionate application process or a broad regularization program, and that the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for one hour, the Minister of Public Safety for one hour, and department officials for one hour each to provide a briefing on the situation, for a total of four hours.
Jenny Kwan moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study into the targeted exploitation scheme faced by 700 Punjabi international students in which they were unknowingly defrauded by a "ghost" immigration consultant who used inauthentic admission letters for their student visa application; that this study be comprised of two meetings; and that the study consider:
a) how this situation was allowed to happen;
b) why fraudulent documents were not detected until years later when the students began to apply for permanent status;
c) the significant harm experienced by students including financial loss and distress;
d) measures necessary to help the students to have their deportation stayed, inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived, and provide a pathway to permanent status; and
e) that the committee also examine how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Tom Kmiec, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde, Larry Maguire, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
Tom Kmiec moved, — That the committee report the following to the House: that Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza is facing political persecution in the Russian Federation including a show trial with high treason charges following his public condemnation of the unjustified and illegal war by Russia against Ukraine; that Vladimir Kara-Murza has survived two assassination attempts by poisoning including in 2015 and 2017, and that he is currently imprisoned in Russia and his health is failing; that Vladimir Kara-Murza is the recipient of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and is a Senior Fellow to the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights; therefore, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration calls on the Government of Canada to grant honorary Canadian citizenship to Vladimir Kara-Murza and demand that the Russian Federation set him free.
Debate arose thereon.
Marie-France Lalonde moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “That the committee report the following to the House” with the words “That the committee issue a press release stating”, and by replacing the words “Government of Canada” with the words “Parliament of Canada”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Marie-France Lalonde and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde — 6;
NAYS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Tom Kmiec, Larry Maguire, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 5.
The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Sukh Dhaliwal, Fayçal El-Khoury, Arielle Kayabaga, Tom Kmiec, Jenny Kwan, Marie-France Lalonde, Larry Maguire, Brad Redekopp, Michelle Rempel Garner — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
The motion, as amended, read as follows:
That the committee issue a press release stating that Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza is facing political persecution in the Russian Federation including a show trial with high treason charges following his public condemnation of the unjustified and illegal war by Russia against Ukraine; that Vladimir Kara-Murza has survived two assassination attempts by poisoning including in 2015 and 2017, and that he is currently imprisoned in Russia and his health is failing; that Vladimir Kara-Murza is the recipient of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and is a Senior Fellow to the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights; therefore, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration calls on the Parliament of Canada to grant honorary Canadian citizenship to Vladimir Kara-Murza and demand that the Russian Federation set him free.
At 9:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.