The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration met at 3:34 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Norman Doyle, presiding.

Les Linklater made a statement and, with Micheline Aucoin, answered questions.

William Janzen, Philip McDowell, Jeffry A. House and Gay Anne Broughton made statements and answered questions.

Jim Karygiannis moved, — That the Committee recommend that the government immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military service related to the war in Iraq and do not have a criminal record and/or there has been no criminal or military warrants issued against them, to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

Olivia Chow moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the war in Iraq” with the words “a war not sanctioned by the United Nations”; and by deleting the words “and/or there has been no criminal or military warrants issued against them”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Olivia Chow and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Colleen Beaumier, Robert Carrier, Olivia Chow, Meili Faille, Jim Karygiannis, Lloyd St. Amand, Andrew Telegdi — 7; NAYS: Dave Batters, Nina Grewal, Ed Komarnicki, Bradley R. Trost — 4.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Colleen Beaumier, Robert Carrier, Olivia Chow, Meili Faille, Jim Karygiannis, Lloyd St. Amand, Andrew Telegdi — 7; NAYS: Dave Batters, Nina Grewal, Ed Komarnicki, Bradley R. Trost — 4.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee recommend that the government immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and do not have a criminal record, to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

At 5:14 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.