Evidence of meeting #1 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Andrew Chaplin

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

I don't know what all that's about.

Mr. Dykstra.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

I move the motion.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

That's a motion.

Mr. Karygiannis.

10:15 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

On a point of verification, what I understand from Mr. Dykstra is that when the minister or officials from the department sit down to speak, their notes will be given to us at the same time as they start to speak, in both official languages. There was a time when Mr. Minister came in and the notes were just in English, and unfortunately--

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

I'm sure Mr. St-Cyr would put us in line if that changed.

10:20 a.m.

Bloc

Thierry St-Cyr Bloc Jeanne-Le Ber, QC

I would.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

You would indeed.

Is there further debate?

(Motion agreed to)

10:20 a.m.

Chair

Are there further motions?

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

I have a couple more. I'm almost done here.

The next one is that the consideration and examination of any bill--government or private member's bill--that falls within the express mandate of the committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination, and in such circumstances the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the bill is reported back to the House.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Are we submitting copies?

Mr. Karygiannis.

10:20 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

I think the committee is the owner of its own demise or agenda. To have it put forward by the parliamentary secretary that we're going to put in a bill that will take precedence is certainly not in good form or friendly. The parliamentary secretary can come and ask if we'll do it, but I think the committee is the master of its own agenda.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

I thought that in the spirit of cooperation to move legislation as quickly as possible, the committee may see fit to support that motion.

February 3rd, 2009 / 10:20 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

Did we forget Bill C-50 or Bill C-17?

(Motion negatived)

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

It appears to have failed, Mr. Dykstra.

What is the next motion?

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

My confidence and resolve remain the same. It's just heartwarming to see how engaged I've been able to get everybody this morning.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Let's proceed.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

Yes, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry, I'm just trying to bring a little levity to this very deep and important meeting.

The next motion is that every party shall have the right to attach as an annex a dissenting opinion on any report to be presented to the House of Commons by the committee, and that this dissenting opinion shall be submitted to the clerk of the committee within 72 hours of the passing of the report by the committee, in both official languages.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Is there any debate?

Mr. Karygiannis.

10:20 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

If I'm not mistaken, I think it was customary to have 24 hours.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

If you really want to put a dissenting opinion together, I think--

10:20 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

I'm sure that any dissenting opinion will come from the government side. You will certainly have all your folks here and the department. I'm sure they will be able to come up with something like that within 24 hours, in both official languages, of course.

10:20 a.m.

An hon. member

What about 48?

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

The chair is losing control here. Is there an amendment? We're having trouble with the number of hours.

Ms. Chow.

10:20 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

Let's make it 48.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to)

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

I guess it has carried then with 48 hours. I'm glad to see such cooperation.

Mr. Dykstra.