Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 18 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 17, 2014
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 17, 2014
(39)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 7:01 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Demers, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Enverga, Hubley, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Ogilvie, Seidman, Seth and Stewart Olsen (12).
In attendance: Julie Béchard, Analyst, 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 Tuesday, June 3, 2014, the committee began its study of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The chair asked whether the committee shall proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that the committee defer clause-by-clause consideration of the bill and that it conduct further hearings and receive more input from Canadians across this country.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Eggleton, Hubley, Munson — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Demers, Eaton, Enverga, Nancy Ruth, Seidman,
Seth, Stewart Olsen — 7
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, on division.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that Bill C-24, in clause 3, be amended by deleting lines 7 to 22 on page 11 and by deleting lines 31 and 32 on page 14.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Eggleton, Hubley, Munson — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Demers, Eaton, Enverga, Nancy Ruth, Seidman,
Seth, Stewart Olsen — 7
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that Bill C-24, in clause 3, be amended:
(a) by replacing line 23 on page 11 with the following:
"(d) if under 55 years of age at the date of his"; and,
(b) by replacing line 27 on page 11 with the following:
"(e) if under 55 years of age at the date of his".
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Eggleton, Hubley, Munson — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Demers, Eaton, Enverga, Nancy Ruth, Seidman,
Seth, Stewart Olsen — 7
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that Bill C-24, in clause 3, be amended by adding after line 4 on page 12 the following:
"(1.011) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), for every day during which the person was resident in Canada before his or her lawful admission to Canada for permanent residence the person shall be deemed to have accumulated one-half of a day of physical presence in Canada.".
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Eggleton, Hubley, Munson — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Demers, Eaton, Enverga, Nancy Ruth, Seidman,
Seth, Stewart Olsen — 7
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, on division.
With leave, it was agreed that the committee group clauses 4-7.
It was agreed that clauses 4-7 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 8 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that Bill C-24, in clause 8, be amended by adding after line 5 on page 25 the following:
"10.61 An appeal lies to the Federal Court from any decision of the Minister made under section 10.".
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cordy, Eggleton, Hubley, Munson — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Demers, Eaton, Enverga, Nancy Ruth, Seidman,
Seth, Stewart Olsen — 7
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
With leave, it was agreed that the committee group clauses 9-26.
It was agreed that clauses 9-26 carry, on division.
With leave, it was agreed that the committee group clauses 27-46.
It was agreed that clauses 27-46 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
The chair asked whether the committee wished to append any observations to its report on the bill.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved that the following observation be appended to the report:
"Since citizenship application fees can be onerous for low income families the Minister should consider creating a procedure of reducing or waiving fees for low income permanent residents that are applying to become citizens.".
It was agreed that the observation be appended to the committee's report on the bill.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to approve any minor changes that may be needed to be made to the observation.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-24 with observations, to the Senate, on division.
At 7:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee