THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, November 17, 2025
(12)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 3:58 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Rosemary Moodie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Arnot, Boudreau, Burey, Coyle, Cuzner, Hay, McPhedran, Moodie, Muggli, Osler and Senior (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cardozo, Miville-Dechêne and Youance (3).

Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore and Diana Ambrozas, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025).

APPEARING:

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

WITNESSES:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:

Catherine Scott, Assistant Deputy Minister, Settlement and Citizens Sector;

Uyen Hoang, Director General, Citizenship;

Alain Laurencelle, Manager and Senior Counsel, Legal Services.

Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer:

Jason Jacques, Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer;

Louis Perrault, Director of Policy.

Lost Canadians:

Don Chapman, Head.

Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association:

Bruce Allen, Citizenship and Immigration Lawyer; Partner, Allen & Hodgman.

Canadian Bar Association:

Amandeep S. Hayer, Vice Chair, CBA-BC Immigration Law Section and Principal Lawyer, Hayer Law.

As individuals:

Allison Petrozziello, Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University;

Katherine Lanteigne, Parent Adoption Advocate;

Graeme Ball, Parent Adoption Advocate;

Andrew Griffith, Fellow, Environics Institute, and Former Director General, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The minister made a statement and, together with Uyen Hoang and Alain Laurencelle, answered questions.

At 4:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:02 p.m., the committee resumed.

Jason Jacques made a statement and, together with Catherine Scott, Alain Laurencelle, Uyen Hoang and Louis Perrault, answered questions.

At 5:35 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:43 p.m., the committee resumed.

Don Chapman, Allison Petrozziello and Katherine Lanteigne each made a statement and, together with Graeme Ball, answered questions.

At 6:34 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:40 p.m., the committee resumed.

Bruce Allen, Amandeep S. Hayer and Andrew Griffith each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ferda Simpson

Clerk of the Committee