Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 20 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 20, 2012
(49)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Housakos, Hubley, Jaffer, Martin, Mercer, Merchant, Ogilvie, Seidman, Seth, Verner, P.C., and Wallace (12).
In attendance: Julie Béchard and Karin Phillips, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service.
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 continued 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.
WITNESS:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
Jennifer Irish, Director, Asylum Policy Program Development.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of 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.
With leave and pursuant to rule 97 (7.1), it was agreed that the committee group clauses in groups of ten.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 stand postponed.
It was agreed that clauses 2 through 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 11 through 20 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 21 through 30 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 31 through 40 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 41 through 50 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 51 through 60 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 61 through 70 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 71 through 80 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 81 through 85 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1, carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
The chair asked whether the bill shall carry.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Housakos, Martin, Seidman, Seth, Verner, Wallace — 6
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Jaffer, Mercer, Merchant — 4
The committee discussed appending observations to its report.
Ms. Irish answered questions from time to time.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the following observation be appended to the committee's report on the bill:
The committee emphasizes the importance that the gender guidelines issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada continue to be applied to refugee claims from designated countries of origin.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the following observation be appended to the committee's report on the bill:
The committee encourages the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to develop guidelines related to the LGBT communities.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved that the following observation be appended to the committee's report on the bill:
The committee encourages the Minister and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to take into consideration the special situation of minorities within the country of origin.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill without amendments but with observations to the Senate.
At 4:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee