Summer happenings on Parliament Hill

Summer is usually a quiet time on Parliament Hill with the House of Commons and the Senate in recess until fall. However, quiet does not mean a complete absence of activity. Occasionally, as was the case this summer, MPs do come back to Ottawa briefly during the summer.

On July 18, Prime Minister Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, bringing 5 new ministers to the table and creating 3 new portfolios including one for border security and organized crime reduction. The first three priorities listed in the mandate letter for the new Minister of Border Security and organized Crime Reduction include leading the government’s plan on irregular migration, representing the Government of Canada on an Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Irregular Migration, and leading conversations with the United States on the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Also, in July, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration spent one full day studying the federal government's response to the impact of the increased number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada from the United States. The committee heard from 31 witnesses that day including Ministers, officials from the Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, NGOs, and individuals. A report on the study may be released this fall.

During the second week of July, Liberal Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, Borys Wrzesnewkyj, held the first of a series of cross country roundtables in support of his motion #M163 which calls for the establishment of an Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security. Quite appropriately, the first roundtable took place at Canada’s Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. In a recent development the motion has been taken up by Foreign Affairs and going forward future consultations will be facilitated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and her Parliamentary Secretaries. 

Bill C-262 the UNDRIP Act update

On May 30, 2018, Bill C-262 the UNDRIP Act passed 3rd reading in the House of Commons and moved to the Senate where this fall it will begin a second journey with three more readings and further study by a Senate committee before eventually becoming law. This private member’s bill will ensure that Canada’s laws are aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Thank you to everyone who acted to support Bill C-262 on its way through the House of Commons. Be sure to check our website for an updated advocacy tool to contact the Senate.