Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 3rd, 2014

[Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, NDP, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

We have already expressed our opinion on this declaration of intent to reside in Canada.

We cited several witnesses who appeared as part of this study and who oppose the provisions respecting the declaration of intent to reside in Canada. Of course, it is not that we are opposed to the idea that people who have been granted citizenship should intend to reside here. Everybody would like that.

However, this may set a precedent and open some very dangerous doors. People could have their citizenship revoked if they did not comply with that declaration of intent to reside, and that limits any foreseeable or unforeseeable movement by people, which may occur for very good reasons.

The minister says he does not intend to use the measure that way, but experts tell us that, regardless of the minister's intent, the current wording of the bill might result in this precedent, which would be very dangerous. That is why the NDP will vote for this amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm going to call the vote on Liberal amendment 9.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We resume debate on clause 9.

All those in favour of clause 9...?

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

I call for a recorded vote.

(Clause 9 agreed to: yeas 5; nays 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Shall clauses 10 and 11 carry?

Do you want to go one by one?

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

I definitely do, yes. Thank you.

(On clause 10)

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Is there debate on clause 10?

Shall clause 10 carry? All those in favour...? All those opposed...?

[An hon. member]

[Inaudible--Editor]

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'll say it again; perhaps I was too fast.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Can I ask a question to the witnesses on this clause? I should have asked it before now.

It's up to you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I've given you a lot of breaks, Mr. Regan.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

That's fair enough.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm going to give you one more, and then you're finished.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you.

Could the witnesses tell the committee what other evidence of citizenship could be provided to a Canadian?

[Mary-Ann Hubers, Former Acting Director, Legislation and Program Policy, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration]

The intent of this clause is to provide some flexibility so that electronic means, for example, may be used instead of a paper certificate one day down the road.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We were in the middle of a vote. We're going to start again.

Ask no more questions, Mr. Regan.

(Clause 10 agreed to)

(On clause 11)

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

On clause 11, is there any debate?

All those in favour of clause 11—

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Chair, we had our hands up for debate.

[Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, NDP, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I'm sorry; maybe I should have said it while I was raising my hand.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I looked over and didn't see any hands.

So you want to debate clause 11?

[Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, NDP, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I simply want to point out that the NDP will vote against this clause. We have serious concerns about the aspect—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Is it clause 11 you're speaking of?

[Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, NDP, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Yes, it is clause 11.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Okay. You have the floor. Go ahead.