Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue No. 17 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 2, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 2, 2017
(39)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:30 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Eggleton, P.C., Fraser, Frum, Hartling, Jaffer, Mégie, Meredith, Neufeld, Ogilvie, Omidvar, Petitclerc, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Unger (15).
In attendance: Sonya Norris and Sandra Elgersma, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Mireille LaForge, Procedural Clerk, Senate Committees Directorate.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 16.)
WITNESSES:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:
Alec Attfield, Director General, Citizenship Branch;
Mary-Ann Hubers, Director, Citizenship Program Delivery.
The chair made a statement.
The deputy chair made a statement.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators Cormier, Eggleton, Fraser, Jaffer, Mégie, Meredith, Omidvar, Petitclerc, (8)
NAYS
The Honourable Senators Frum, Neufeld, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Unger (5)
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
It was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 18 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 19 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 20 shall carry.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators Cormier, Eggleton, Fraser, Hartling, Jaffer, Mégie, Meredith, Omidvar, Petitclerc, (9)
NAYS
The Honourable Senators Frum, Neufeld, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Unger (5)
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
It was agreed that clause 21 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 22 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 23 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 24 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 25 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 26 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 27 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether the title shall carry.
Debate arose thereon.
The officials were called to the table to answer questions from time to time.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
The committee considered draft observations.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar proposed draft observations on parenting.
After debate, the draft observations were withdrawn.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar proposed draft observations on knowledge and language testing.
After debate, it was agreed that the draft observations be appended to the report.
The Honourable Senator Frum proposed draft observations on smart cards.
After debate, it was agreed that the draft observations be appended to the report.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., proposed draft observations on citizenship application fees.
After debate, it was agreed that the draft observations be appended to the report.
It was agreed that the committee staff merge the three draft observations, taking into consideration today's discussion and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the steering committee approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill, with observations, to the Senate.
At 11:41 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee