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

Issue 36 - Twenty-second Report of the Committee

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to table its

TWENTY-SECOND REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized to examine the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 15 of Part 3 of Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 21, 2015 and other measures, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, May 14, 2015, examined the said subject matter and now reports as follows:

On May 29, 2015, the committee heard witnesses on the subject matter of Division 15 of Part 3 of Bill C-59, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on 21 April 2015, and other measures.

The committee understands that Division 15 would amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) by extending the use of biometrics and electronic means in keeping with their existing purposes. Further, the related provisions in IRPA would be consolidated, eliminating duplication in the law. In relation to biometrics, privacy concerns were discussed and it was confirmed that they were to be used only to verify identity. The committee is confident in the measures put in place to safeguard privacy. The committee has no issues of concern regarding Division 15 of Part 3 of Bill C-59.

Respectfully submitted,

KELVIN K. OGILVIE

Chair