Senate committee recommends removing immigration measures from border bill

A Senate social affairs committee report recommends removing or significantly modifying immigration-related sections of Bill C-12, citing concerns about possible human-rights violations, executive powers overreach and lack of procedural fairness; the national security committee will review the bill clause-by-clause and may table amendments.

Senators on the Senate social affairs committee have recommended that immigration-related sections be removed or substantially changed in the government's border bill, Bill C-12. The recommendation follows an in-depth study of the bill's immigration measures and raises questions about human-rights protections and procedural fairness. The national security committee, which is responsible for tabling amendments, will now conduct a detailed review of the bill. Key findings: - The social affairs committee's report recommends removing or significantly modifying immigration-related sections of Bill C-12. - The report says the committee heard concerns the legislation contains possible human-rights violations, executive powers overreach and lack of procedural fairness. - Bill C-12 would bar people who first came to Canada more than a year ago from filing refugee claims and would give the government power to cancel or modify various immigration documents, including permanent residency cards. - The national security committee is responsible for tabling amendments to the bill and will conduct a clause-by-clause study where amendments can be introduced. - The report advises that if the national security committee does not remove the immigration sections, it should add stronger parliamentary oversight and include a sunset clause requiring a parliamentary review. - The report was obtained by The Canadian Press and the national security committee began its clause-by-clause review on the day the report was published. Summary: The social affairs committee's recommendations could lead the national security committee to remove or alter the immigration measures in Bill C-12 or to add oversight provisions such as a sunset clause. The national security committee will proceed with a clause-by-clause study and may introduce amendments as part of that process.