Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 4, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 4, 2014
(23)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8:01 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Jaffer, Nancy Ruth, Ngo and Tannas (8).

In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; Julia Nicol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, 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 Thursday, November 27, 2014, the committee began its study of Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Chris Alexander, P.C., M.P, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

WITNESSES:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada:

David Manicom, Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy;

Angela Gawel, Director General, International Region;

Maureen Tsai, Director, Admissibility Branch.

Justice Canada:

Gillian Blackell, Senior Counsel, Family, Children and Youth Sector;

Joanne Klineberg, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Lisa Hitch, Senior Counsel, Family, Children and Youth Section.

The chair made a statement.

The minister made a statement and, together with Mr. Manicom, Ms. Gawel, Ms. Tsai, Ms. Blackell, Ms. Klineberg and Ms. Hitch, answered questions.

At 9:08 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:10 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Manicom, Ms. Gawel, Ms. Tsai, Ms. Blackell, Ms. Klineberg and Ms. Hitch answered questions.

At 10:01 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee