Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 20 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, June 18, 2012
(47)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 1 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cordy, Jaffer, Lang, Martin, Merchant, Munson, Ogilvie, Seidman, Seth, Verner, P.C., and Wallace (12).

In attendance: Julie Béchard and Karin Phillips, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 18, 2012, the committee began its study on Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Balanced Refugee Reform Act, the Marine Transportation Security Act and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P., Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

WITNESSES:

Citizenship and Immigration:

Les Linklater, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy;

Marie Bourry, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel;

Jennifer Irish, Director, Asylum Policy Program Development.

Public Safety Canada:

Michael MacDonald, Director General, National Security Operations Directorate.

Canada Border Services Agency:

Peter Hill, Director General, Post-Border Programs.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

Furio De Angelis, Representative in Canada;

Michael Casasola, Resettlement Officer;

Nadia Williamson, Associate Legal Officer.

As individuals:

Peter Showler, Professor, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa;

Richard Kurland, Lawyer and Policy Analyst.

The chair made a statement.

Minister Kenney made a statement and, together with Mr. Linklater, Ms. Bourry, Ms. Irish, Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Hill, answered questions.

At 2:56 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:13 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. De Angelis made a statement and, together with Mr. Casasola and Ms. Williamson answered questions.

At 3:50 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:54 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Showler and Mr. Kurland, each made a statement and, together, answered question.

At 4:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee