Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 4th, 2017

Evidence of meeting #76 for Canadian Heritage in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was muslims.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Anver Emon Professor of Law & Canada Research Chair in Religion, Pluralism, and the Rule of Law, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Jasmin Zine Professor, Sociology and Muslim Studies Option, Wilfrid Laurier University, As an Individual

Ihsaan Gardee Executive Director, National Council of Canadian Muslims

Eve Torres Public Affairs Coordinator, National Council of Canadian Muslims

4:35 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

But there's a motion to adjourn and it's not debatable, so I'm going to challenge your decision with all due respect, Chair.

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

Madam, it's my job as chair—

4:35 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

That's not debatable, sir. We have to vote on that.

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

The chair is to protect fair, democratic process and due process rights in accordance with the rules—

4:35 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Okay, but I've challenged your decision, and that's not debatable, and we have to vote on it.

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON

Could we at least allow Madame Zine to finish her response?

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

We set the rules at the start of this meeting by unanimous consent, and you are now seeking to do it—

4:35 p.m.

Liberal

Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC

Ask the clerk.

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

Madam Zine had 20 seconds left in her answer and I would like her to finish it.

October 4th, 2017 / 4:35 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Would you ask the clerk, please?

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

Madam Zine, you can finish your answer in 20 seconds and then it's over to the Liberals.

4:35 p.m.

Professor, Sociology and Muslim Studies Option, Wilfrid Laurier University, As an Individual

Dr. Jasmin Zine

Well, I think this is an illustration of why there are differences about various kinds of objectives or definitions or things that are going on. The fact that there are people in the community who may have a different understanding of it doesn't mean the standard definitions being used internationally and in various forms are not good, worthy ones. The definitions stand on their own.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

Now, Ms. Dabrusin, for three minutes.

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON

Thank you.

I'm not going to take my full three minutes, and I apologize: a vote has been called, which is why there is a rush.

Could any of you provide in writing any comments about the strengths and weaknesses of the Ontario anti-racism strategic plan?

As well, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination put out a report with recommendations for Canada on September 13, 2017. If you have any comments for us to consider, I would appreciate that in writing. Thank you.

4:40 p.m.

Executive Director, National Council of Canadian Muslims

Ihsaan Gardee

Of course.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Peter Van Loan

Is there anything else from the Liberal side?

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON

I'm done with my question.