Evidence of meeting #89 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor. That's what I said. I did not ask you not to speak in both languages. You can speak in both languages. I'm not even saying that if you have said it in French you can't repeat it in English.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Absolutely.
I'm making a point, Mr. Chair. I think I have the right to make that point. If I have to use both languages to make that point, I think I should have the right to make the point in both languages. That's why we are a bilingual country.
5:50 p.m.
An hon. member
[Inaudible—Editor]
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
5:50 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
A point of order. I have another question.
I completely understand that. I would never undermine my colleague, who I like very much, or prevent her from speaking in her preferred language.
5:50 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
My only question, Mr. Chair, is whether we have the right to repeat the same thing for the purpose of systematic obstruction?
Can we repeat the same thing ad nauseam for the purpose of systematic obstruction? I am wondering.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, the member has every right to express herself and speak in both languages. If the member wants to repeat it in both languages, that member has the full right to do that. I will respect that.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
I have Mr. Ali on a point of order, and then Mr. El-Khoury on a point of order.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair.
It's sad to see how my colleague, MP Arielle Kayabaga, was interrupted numerous times on points of order just because she was switching languages from English to French and French to English.
It is so disappointing to see that my colleague, whom I respect.... I respect all of my colleagues. I respect Alexis a lot. I think it's getting into debate with a colleague. I think it's not a good thing. We should talk through the chair. Rather than getting into debate—
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Mr. Ali, I have made it very clear that the member has the full right.... Whether the member is a regular member of the committee or is like Mr. Drouin, who is filling in today for Ms. Zahid, every member has the right to speak in both official languages, period.
Now we're going to Mr. El-Khoury.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I believe that my colleague, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, asked if the interpretation was working well, and he has the right to know. If not, then we cannot continue the meeting. One of the conditions for continuing meetings is that interpretation should be working properly.
Can we have an answer for what Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe asked, please?
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Mr. El-Khoury, I have already given my decision on this, which is that Ms. Kayabaga has the full right.... I am not stopping her. Unless I stop them, any member can say whatever they want.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Chiang Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
Mr. El-Khoury is mentioning the interpretation to make sure it is working correctly so that all members can understand what's going on in this committee. It is fair to ask that.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
I agree.
Is it working, Mr. Clerk?
Yes, the interpretation is working fine.
I'm not going to further interrupt. It is very disrespectful if we continue to intervene in what Ms. Kayabaga wanted to say.
Ms. Kayabaga, the floor is yours. Please continue.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I do agree that if anyone is experiencing concerns or issues around interpretation and hearing my comments in both official languages, please do let us know so that we can make sure that we correct that.
I'll continue:
On 14 June 2023, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration will begin a study looking into the circumstances that have led 700 international students from India to be found inadmissible to Canada and to understand how this could have been prevented. Consultants hired by the students to help with their applications submitted fraudulent documents claiming to be admission letters from Canadian designated learning institutions. The “ghost consultants” created an exploitative scheme that has left many students, graduates and post-graduates facing removal orders on grounds of misrepresentation and a five-year ban from entering Canada. The committee strongly condemns the actions of “ghost consultants” in India who have preyed on international students.
The committee urges the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Public Safety to immediately use their discretion to stay pending deportation orders and to provide remedies to those affected, such as by offering permanent residence through the use of humanitarian and compassionate considerations or by implementing a temporary public policy.
Mr. Chair, as I finish reading this news release, in both languages, I'm still—
6 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
I'm going to take a minute before I give you the floor on a point of order.
Before I continue, I just quickly want to take two seconds as the chair, because it's six o'clock. I want to wish all of the honourable members, their support staff, the interpreters, the clerk, the analysts and the technical support staff a very merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy new year.
It is six o'clock, so—
6 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
I have a point of order. You don't have consent to adjourn the meeting.
6 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
The interpreters have to go home, and I cannot adjourn the meeting. I can suspend the meeting.
I'm suspending the meeting until the next sitting in January.
[The meeting was suspended at 6:01 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2023]
[The meeting resumed at 11:05 a.m., Monday, February 5, 2024]