The CBC reports that Bill C-50 will be voted on today. If defeated, it may trigger a federal election, but news sources agree that it is likely only the NDP and the Bloc Québécois will vote against it. Search this blog for “proposed changes to immigration policy” for more info.
Well, no surprise, later today (this post written at 8ish), The Star reports that Bill C-50 has indeed passed.
Liberal MP Maurizio Bevilacqua, Liberal critic for immigration and member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, is reported as indicating that there may be a fall election and opportunity for the Liberals to demonstrate their true position on the changes to immigration policy.
NDP MP Olivia Chow, NDP MP and fellow member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, was less optimistic: “How could it possible that they left this pass. It’s unbelievable. It’s betraying the trust of ordinary Canadians and it’s hypocrisy to the nth degree,” she said.
A June 17/08 press release from CIC includes these statements:
We hope that Minister Finley also includes the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as an additional lens to the changes.