Evidence of meeting #10 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was citizenship.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I will freely do that, Mr. Chair, because I'm being as magnanimous and as non-partisan as I've ever been in this place.
After looking you in the eye, Mr. Karygiannis, and telling you I respect you a great deal, yes, I will apologize for that statement. It was not intended.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
An hon. member
Do you not accept the apology?
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Chair, that is a point of order.
Can I ask Mr. Khan, please, either to speak on the record or not to speak at all.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I am aware that everyone who has led on this issue—Mr. Chapman, Ms. Jarratt, Mr. Janzen—wants this bill passed as is. You'd like it as a Valentine's Day present to war brides. I think that's a fantastic idea.
4:45 p.m.
An hon. member
Hear, hear!
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I know that the government, the parliamentary secretary, has indicated they will bring the bill forward as soon as possible, as soon as we know that it will—
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I'm going to tell you when, Mr. Karygiannis, please.
The government will bring the bill forward as soon as we know it will have speedy passage through the House of Commons and come back to this committee and be sent back to the House and off to the Senate.
I've already said how much I respect Mr. Telegdi and Mr. Karygiannis, and I respect how hard they've worked on this. Mr. Karygiannis has a small difficulty with this bill. He wants it extended further to the second generation—
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
If my colleague wants to quote me over the problem I have, then I would suggest he either ask me directly if I have a problem or not, or not put words in my mouth.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I'm roughly paraphrasing Mr. Karygiannis' position, and he's perfectly capable—and I know he has a good voice in this place—to clarify it if need be.
He has some problems with this bill as currently drafted, but it has unanimous support literally from everyone else. I ask through you, Mr. Chair, that Mr. Karygiannis consider passing this bill without amendments, so that we can get 95% or 96% or 97% of the way towards perfection, and to give up that little bit he would still like to see. I know he's passionate about this issue. There's a little bit there—
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Chair, my question is very simple. Is he addressing me or--
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Chair, is he addressing me and making comments to me or is he questioning—
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
If he's addressing the witnesses, then he should pose the question to the witnesses.
