Bill C-17: An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

C-17 Second Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-17 An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act first reading, November 1, 2007 NOTE Printed, pursuant to Order made October 25, 2007, in the same form as Bill C-57 of the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, at date of prorogation. THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION 90412 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow officers to refuse to authorize foreign nationals to work in Canada in cases where to give authorization would be contrary to public policy considerations that are specified in instructions given by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca .vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;} .vis2 {position: static;} 2nd Session, 39th Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 house of commons of canada BILL C-17 An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Preamble Whereas Parliament recognizes the importance of protecting vulnerable foreign nationals who come to work in Canada from exploitation and abuse; Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 2001, c. 27 IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT 1. Paragraph 3(1)(h) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is replaced by the following: Explanatory NotesImmigration and Refugee Protection Act Clause 1: Relevant portion of subsection 3(1): 3. (1) The objectives of this Act with respect to immigration are ... (h) to protect the health and safety of Canadians and to maintain the security of Canadian society; Notes explicativesLoi sur l’immigration et la protection des réfugiés Article 1 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 3(1) : 3. (1) En matière d’immigration, la présente loi a pour objet : [...] h) de protéger la santé des Canadiens et de garantir leur sécurité; (h) to protect public health and safety and to maintain the security of Canadian society; 2. Section 30 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1): Clause 2: New. Article 2 : Nouveau. Authorization (1.1) An officer shall, on application, authorize a foreign national to work or study in Canada if they meet the conditions set out in the regulations. Instructions (1.2) Despite subsection (1.1), the officer shall refuse to authorize the foreign national to work in Canada if, in the officer’s opinion, public policy considerations that are specified in the instructions given by the Minister justify such a refusal. Concurrence of second officer (1.3) In applying subsection (1.2), any refusal to give authorization to work in Canada requires the concurrence of a second officer. Purpose (1.4) The instructions shall prescribe public policy considerations that aim to protect foreign nationals who are at risk of being subjected to humiliating or degrading treatment, including sexual exploitation. Publication (1.5) The instructions shall be published in the Canada Gazette. Application (1.6) The instructions take effect on the day on which they are published, or on any later day specified in the instruction, and apply to all applications for authorization to work in Canada that were filed before that day and for which a final decision has not been made. Revocation (1.7) The instructions cease to have effect on the day on which a notice of revocation is published in the Canada Gazette. 3. Subsection 94(2) of the Act is amended by striking out the word “and” at the end of paragraph (e) and by adding the following after that paragraph: Clause 3: Relevant portion of subsection 94(2): (2) The report shall include a description of Article 3 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 94(2) : (2) Le rapport précise notamment : (e.1) any instructions given under subsection 30(1.2) during the year in question and the date of their publication; and COMING INTO FORCE Order in council 4. This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada