MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OTTAWA, Thursday, November 23, 2023 (78) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:30 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernar d, Burey, Cordy, Jaffer, McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Pate, Petitclerc and Seidman (11). Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Cormier (1). Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore, Analyst, Library of Parliament. Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 1, 2023, the committee began its study of Bill S -235,

An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. WITNESSES: The Honourable Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer, sponsor of the bill; The Honourable Senator Kim Pate. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Pemi Gill, Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Passport; Uyen Hoang, Acting Director General, Citizenship Policy; Gayle Leith, Senior Policy Analyst, Citizenship; Alexis Graham, Director General, Family and Social Immigration; Anna Turinov, Counsel, Legal Services Representative.

Canada Border Services Agency: Richard St Marseille, Director General, Immigration and External Review Policy, Strategic Policy Branch. The Honourable Senators Jaffer and Pate each made a statement and answered questions. At 12:15 p.m., the committee suspended. At 12:18 p.m., the committee resumed. Pemi Gill and Richard St Marseille each made a statement and, together with Uyen Hoang and Anna Turinov, answered questions. At 1:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair. ATTEST: Emily Barrette Clerk of the Committee