The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met at 11:12 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Garry Breitkreuz, presiding.

The witness made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:31 p.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Dave MacKenzie, it was agreed, — That consideration of Bill C-286 be postponed.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet Tuesday, February 13, 2007 to discuss future business.

Joe Comartin moved, — Whereas the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security has a mandate to consider issues at the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre (KIHC);

Whereas a life-threatening hunger strike by KIHC detainees Mohammad Mahjoub (day 76), Mahmoud Jaballah (day 65) and Hassan Almrei (day 65) has long passed a critical stage;

Whereas a key complaint of the detainees is the lack of an independent ombudsman, a concern originally flagged by the 2005/2006 annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator that found "the detainees...no longer have the benefits and legal protections afforded by ombudsman legislation."

Therefore be it resolved that this Committee :

a. acknowledge the emergency nature of the hunger strike and open discussion with regard to a resolution; and

b. request that the Government of Canada consider giving a mandate to the Office of the Correctional Investigator, which has jurisdiction over all federal inmates except for those held at the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre, to now assume jurisdiction over the KIHC, investigate current and ongoing complaints of those currently on hunger strike, and prepare an independent set of recommendations for resolution of said grievances.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

On motion of Joe Comartin, it was agreed, — That the motion be reported to the House.

At 12:56 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.