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.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
I do enjoy the French language, but I want to point out that this is a repetition of what we've already heard in the English version. It's the exact same thing.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
You're repeating something that's been said, and I don't think that's necessary in this meeting tonight.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you, Mr. Redekopp.
Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor. Go ahead, please.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will repeat the sentence again because I was not able to finish:
The “ghost consultants” created an exploitative scheme—
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I have a serious concern when members of Parliament are questioning the language of choice of other members.
It has happened with Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Redekopp—
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
—[Inaudible—Editor] speak the language of their choice—
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
There's already a point of order. That's why I gave the floor to Mr. Drouin.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
5:50 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I am going to interject here. There was nothing raised about anybody's use of either language in this committee, because both official Canadian languages are permitted.
As a matter of fact, we had a witness here speaking in another language as well, so we entertain all languages, contrary to Mr. Drouin's completely inappropriate interjection. My colleague was only saying that there was repetition being foisted on this committee at that point in time, so I would like that to be clear, and Mr. Drouin should withdraw.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you, Mr. McLean.
With due respect to everyone, we have both official languages in committee. We follow those steps here, and all the members are doing that and respecting that right.
Go ahead, Ms. Kayabaga.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will start the sentence over again because I am not being allowed to finish. I really want to finish it.
The “ghost consultants” created an exploitative scheme that has left many students, graduates and postgraduates 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, that was the French version because I was speaking French earlier, but I will now read out the press release in English.
It was to condemn the actions of the ghost consultants in India who preyed on international students. As I stated earlier, this was drafted on June 14, 2023—
5:50 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I just want to ask a question. Is interpretation service being provided? I just want to know because the quote is being read in French and English, but we have interpretation service. They are saying the same thing. I don't mind if people say various different things in their preferred language, but I just want to make sure that we have interpretation service. If so, I do not see why the same thing has to be repeated in both languages. I will let the member do so, of course, but I just want to make sure that we have interpretation service.
Thank you.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor. Go ahead, please.
Hopefully you will not repeat what has already been said. I would welcome new information.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Chair, I think that's an unfair thing to ask me. I have the right to speak in this committee. I have the right to raise issues as a member of this committee. I'm a permanent member of this committee. I'm a bilingual member of this committee, so I speak in whatever language I want to speak in—
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
It is my right as a Canadian in this country to use whichever language I want to use and express my thoughts in both official languages, as I speak both official languages.