Evidence of meeting #1 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Just one second.
Can we please ask the clerk to clarify whether we have to extend the time or—
October 14th, 2020 / 1 p.m.
The Clerk
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As members will probably know, the meeting schedule is agreed to by the whips. I give that to you just as a point of information. However, strictly speaking, the rule is that the committee meeting continues until a motion to adjourn is adopted.
1 p.m.
Liberal
1 p.m.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
It is very useful to examine family reunification and spousal sponsorships. However, the study should not include the exploration of [Inaudible--Editor], but rather the family reunification scheme as a whole.
With regard to family reunification and COVID-19, the government has made progress with respect to amending visa [Inaudible—Editor] and seeks to keep families together. Recently, we introduced a process for extended family, committed couples and compassionate cases to reunite.
We have also sped up our process for spousal applications, and we will make almost 49,000 decisions by the end of the year.
The parents and grandparents program that was announced will accept 40,000 applications this year and the next.
Therefore, I propose an amendment to paragraph one of the motion: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on family reunification and that during the study the committee pay attention to the grand operational landscape, including sponsorship application process times; that the committee examines ways in which to improve the application process and explore options to increase efficiency and accessibility for families; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
I propose that we strike paragraph one and replace it with my amendment.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Can I please ask the analyst to read the amendment so that it is clear to all members?
1 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Madam Chair, may I make a comment on the amendment?
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
The analysts don't have the amendment right now.
As we have the amendment on the floor, we will go to it.
We have a speaking list, so we will go by the speaking list, Ms. Dancho.
Ms. Kwan is next on the list.
1 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I do not support this amendment. The original motion is very specific about what work needs to be done, particularly the impact on family reunification, spousal sponsorship and the impact of section 179(b). I think we need to have a very focused component to this motion. I do not support the amendment as proposed.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to propose an amendment or ask for clarification from the clerk on point number seven in the motion dealing with the temporary foreign worker recruitment program and the LMIA, which is out of scope for this committee.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
We can debate that amendment, which has been proposed by Mr. Dhaliwal.
We have Ms. Martinez Ferrada on the list.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I, too, have some questions, especially in terms of what's valid and what isn't.
A moment ago, Ms. Dhillon made a comment about point 7 of the motion. Did we get any clarity as to whether it falls under the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration? It deals with labour market impact assessments, which fall under employment, not immigration.
I'm wondering whether point 7 shouldn't be corrected or amended so it lines up with the committee's role.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Ms. Martinez Ferrada, I'm sorry for interrupting.
We have an amendment on the floor, which as been proposed by Mr. Dhaliwal, so we cannot deal with anything else right now. Until or unless you are speaking to that amendment....
Ms. Dancho.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I think the member's amendment, although it has validity, is actually encompassed in the motion already.
I agree completely with MP Jenny Kwan's comments. We have to focus on family reunification.
The initial Liberal criticism of this was that it was too broad. Now we're wanting to add further layers to it. The motion includes what the Liberals wanted to study, and it includes the priorities of opposition parties. Liberal members are repeating their points over and over and speaking multiple times.
In the interests of time, I think we need to vote on this amendment and continue forward. This study is incredibly important. The sooner we pass it, the sooner we can do the good work on behalf of Canadians and their families who are separated abroad.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
Madam Chair, as I mentioned earlier to the member, we have amendments to propose for each point. She has to respect the fact that committee members want to contribute to the discussion on each of the points in the motion.
That said, I'd like the clerk to clarify whether I can move a motion to adjourn.
1:05 p.m.
The Clerk
May I have the floor, Madam Chair?