Evidence of meeting #46 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Madam Chair, while I appreciate the member's deep concern and what she says of being an ally to the Jewish community, as a member of the Jewish community and one who represents one of the largest Jewish communities in the country, many of my community are watching today and have very deep concerns that they would like to hear from the department about the vetting process. While I can appreciate the member's so-called “allyship” to the Jewish community on this issue, by taking up the time of this committee and not allowing all of us, including herself, time to ask these important questions in the time that was made today, it's really not allyship. It's just taking up space.
Therefore, while she has duly moved her motion, for the sake of the community that has deep questions it wants to have heard and answered today, I would ask the member to consider permitting that line of questioning with the department that has taken the time to be here to answer and be accountable to myself and to the Jewish community.
Conservative
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Madam Chair, I appreciate Ms. Saks' commentary. I do think there are obviously many questions this department has to be held to account for. We just heard from Minister Hussen that no one's been held to account—at least no one who's been identified as being held to account.
Conservative
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Ms. Saks did make note of whether we could speed this along and return to the questions.
Using the Simms protocol that is common in other committees, my response to Ms. Saks would be whether she would agree to support this motion to bring in Minister Rodriguez. If she could respond to whether Minister Rodriguez ought to come and whether she'll be supporting the motion, then I'm sure we can move this along rather quickly, if we do have the support from Ms. Saks and other members of this committee.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
I have no comment on the motion at this time. I'm simply asking for the time to be used as was duly appointed for today.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Again, with respect, a motion has been duly moved and to criticize or to make it seem like this motion is out of order—
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
I don't believe the vote has been called, so I have nothing to comment at this time, Madam Chair.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Again, using the Simms protocol, if Ms. Saks and the Liberals are willing to support and vote in favour of this motion, I think we can very much move this along on the compromise basis that we've often employed.
If Ms. Saks isn't willing to compromise and work with this committee, I think that's unfortunate, but I think we want to hear answers and have people held to account.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Madam Chair, I just wanted to say that I think Ms. Saks answered Mr. Nater clearly.
I don't think it's fair to make those comments about Ms. Saks. She has absolutely no reason to tell him how she's going to vote on a motion that hasn't been voted on yet.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Mr. Housefather.
Mr. Nater had a point of order and Ms. Saks responded to it, so obviously it's up to Mrs. Thomas to decide whether she will allow for the meeting to continue as per the orders of the day or whether she will continue to speak.
I would like to urge Mrs. Thomas to also consider when she's speaking to her motion that, if she becomes repetitive, I'm going to have to ask her to give up the floor.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Madam Chair, through you to Mrs. Thomas, I have really important questions that I want to ask the ministerial officials. This is a really important issue. Fundamentally, we're seeing anti-Semitism grow.
I would ask Mrs. Thomas, through you, that she stop the filibuster and allow us to get more answers from the ministerial officials.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Once again, you are hearing from many members of the committee, Mrs. Thomas.
