THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 8, 2023
(39)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:01 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Bovey, Brazeau, Greenwood, Kutcher, Lankin, P.C., Martin, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc, Poirier and Verner, P.C. (13).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Burey (1).

Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents).

WITNESSES:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:

Alexis Graham, Acting Director General, Social and Temporary Migration;

Jean-Marc Gionet, Director General, Immigration Program Guidance;

Craig Shankar, Director General, Migration Health;

James Seyler, Director, Immigration Program Guidance; and

Ben Mitchell, Counsel, Legal Services.

Department of Finance Canada:

Khusro Saeedi, Acting Senior Director, Framework Policy, Financial Institutions Division (by videoconference).

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions:

Darrell Leadbetter, Senior Director, Insurance (by videoconference).

As an individual:

Arthur Sweetman, Professor, Department of Economics, McMaster University.

Alexis Graham, Jean-Marc Gionet, Craig Shankar and Khusro Saeedi answered questions.

At 4:43 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:45 p.m., the committee resumed.

Arthur Sweetman made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 5:35 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the committee continued its study on the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed in camera a draft report.

At 5:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee