Evidence of meeting #2 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 study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Yes, why don't I quickly do that? It's something the committee members supported last time, so I think maybe we could quickly look at this motion and get it passed. It is as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study to examine special immigration and refugee measures in order to provide a safe haven to the people of Hong Kong facing persecution under the new National Security Law; and the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
I think there's urgency to this matter. I'm raising it at this point simply because at the last committee meeting, I had moved an amendment to the large motion that Ms. Dancho had put before us, and it was supported by committee members.
I'd like to move this motion, after which I will be happy to go into subcommittee.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
Madam Chair, we supported Ms. Kwan's motion on Hong Kong, and we still do. Afterwards, I'd like Ms. Kwan's support to move into subcommittee to discuss future business.
May I ask that the question be put on Ms. Kwan's motion?
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Clerk, for clarification, can we go into further debate or do we have to vote on this motion?
4:30 p.m.
The Clerk
No, the debate continues until it collapses. However, if no other members wish to speak, then you may call the vote on the motion.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I'm a bit confused, Madam Chair. Maybe the clerk can clarify. Was Ms. Martinez Ferrada's intervention a motion, and is this a new motion to that motion? I'm not quite sure what Ms. Ferrada put forward. She wanted to go to subcommittee, but was that a motion, and can you propose another motion at that time?
I'm not clear on what's happening.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
There is a motion proposed by Ms. Kwan on the floor, so we have debate happening on that motion.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Then Ms. Ferrada did not move a motion to go to subcommittee?
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
I see no further debate. We have a motion as proposed by Ms. Kwan. Let me read this motion, and then we can go to a vote.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
Madam Chair, ask if there's unanimous consent for this motion by Ms. Kwan. If so, then we don't need a recorded vote.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Mr. Dhaliwal.
The motion moved by Ms. Kwan is this:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study to examine special immigration and refugee measures in order to provide a safe haven to the people of Hong Kong facing persecution under the new National Security Law; and the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.
Do I have unanimous consent for this motion to be moved?
(Motion agreed to)
That's great. We have unanimous consent to move this motion. Thank you.
We have Ms. Normandin on the list.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Before we go into subcommittee, I'd like to take five minutes to settle something so we don't have to discuss it later.
In one of the motions I put on notice, I moved that the committee undertake a study dealing with foreign workers and labour market impact assessments. The last time the committee met, we started discussing whether a study involving labour market impact assessments was in order or not.
I would therefore like to put forward the motion simply to ask the clerk whether it's in order. Then, we can adjourn debate on my motion. I would just like to get clarification on that and to make sure that is the focus of the discussion right now. The clerk could prepare an answer and share it with us at a later meeting.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
I'm explaining that I would, simply to put the question to the clerk. Afterwards, I would move that the debate be adjourned.
Yes, then, I am moving a motion. I'll read it out.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Here it is:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on administrative costs and delays related to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP); that, during this study, the Committee consider possible solutions, including granting open work permits on a sector-by-sector basis to facilitate labour mobility; that LMIAs be biennial; that the duration of work permits be extended; that three-year work permits be extended annually, etc.; that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.
I'd just like to know whether the matter of labour market impact assessments and work permits falls within the purview of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. I would then move that the debate be adjourned.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Ms. Normandin.
I will ask the analyst to clarify whether or not the motion moved by Ms. Normandin is under the mandate of CIMM.
4:35 p.m.
Julie Béchard Committee Researcher
Madam Chair, in the past the committee has studied temporary foreign workers and the LMIA. We do have the authority to invite ESDC to come as a witness and explain these programs.
Does that clarify it?
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
I was wondering, Madam Chair, whether after this we want to bring in a motion for adjournment of the debate or for adjournment of the meeting. That is what I wanted to clarify. As Ms. Kwan was saying earlier, we could adjourn the meeting and go into the subcommittee for committee business.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Mr. Dhaliwal. We have the motion that was moved by Ms. Normandin. The analyst has provided clarification on that.