Evidence of meeting #39 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was amendment.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
In our view, clause 294 would give the minister sweeping powers to designate Canadians as what are termed here as “politically exposed domestic” persons, and as a result make them subject to extensive and invasive financial monitoring and reporting.
We think this is over-breadth writ large, and we would oppose this initiative.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you so much for being with us tonight.
We'll move to division 20, Immigration. We have a number of amendments for this division, so I'll ask our officials to come forward.
I'll proceed with clause 299.
Is there any discussion?
(Clause 299 agreed to)
(On clause 300)
Monsieur Caron.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
This clause pertains to temporary foreign workers. We aren't against the principle of choosing a portion of foreign workers by matching their skills with our needs. But we are opposed to this government's approach to labour market opinions and their use in the Express Entry system, as provided for in this clause.
These are the same flawed labour market opinions that gave companies the ability to hire foreign workers over Canadians. That's a much talked about issue these days.
We don't think this provision addresses the concerns that were recently raised. And for that reason, we are going to vote against clause 300.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
(Clause 300 agreed to: yeas 6; nays 3)
(On clause 301)
We have amendment LIB-16, and we'll go to Mr. McKay.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Thank you, Chair.
The Liberals support the measures in this section to increase penalties for those who abuse the temporary foreign workers program. We also support the measure in this section that corrects an oversight in the last omnibus bill. It seems that the government originally forgot to include the provincial nominee program in the expression of interest system. Sometimes things happen, Mr. Chair.
We oppose clause 303, which kills the immigrant investor program. The Conservative's unilateral approach to killing these programs is hurting our international brand. It is already subject to a serious court challenge.
Finally, on clause 301, the amendment ensures electronic applications are optional, not mandatory. The amendment was recommended by The Canadian Bar Association in recognition of the fact that many applicants have limited access to the Internet and that, “The online application system used by CIC continues to be problematic.”
I can speak to clause 302, but we're only on clause 301 at this point.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We'll deal with clause 301.
Amendment LIB-16, then.
A recorded vote, Mr. McKay, I presume.
Conservative
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
I just feel so much better supporting my colleagues with a recorded vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 4)
(Clause 301 agreed to)
(On clause 302)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We have two amendments here. We have, first of all, LIB-17.
Mr. McKay, do you want to make further comments?
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Yes.
On clause 302, Bill C-31 introduces severe penalties for employers found in breach. This amendment adds a formal review mechanism for employers against whom penalties are imposed. Again, this amendment was recommended by The Canadian Bar Association in order to ensure there's fairness and due process given the severity of the consequences.
Conservative
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Just out of curiosity, to the officials here, this strikes me as an eminently sensible amendment on the part of the Canadian Bar Association, and there is an issue of due process. I'm assuming that you don't think it's a necessary amendment.
Colin Spencer James Director, Policy and Program Design, Temporary Foreign Workers, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think that's a fair assessment about not being necessary. The authorities set out in clause 302 before the amendment do not preclude a review process that could be set out at the time of regulatory development.
Director, Policy and Program Design, Temporary Foreign Workers, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
The authority in the clause is an enabling authority that is broad enough in scope that a review process could be put in place at the time when the administrative monetary penalty scheme is put in place in regulations.