Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to echo the comments that Mr. Cullen has tabled, outlining the Liberal Party position again. This motion is part of an ongoing undemocratic process, part of a time allocation motion that would limit the committee's ability to study this bill, particularly now that we've set a deadline of November 27.
It's undemocratic in our view to limit debate and to have the complicated process of having this referred to a series of different standing committees then reported back to this particular committee under an incredibly tight deadline within the framework of a massive omnibus bill.
Bill C-43 includes a number of measures that have nothing to do with this committee, with the budget, and frankly don't belong in a budget bill and should not be before this committee.
For example, part 4, division 5 dealing with the denial of social assistance to refugee claimants in our respectful view does not belong before this committee. While subparagraph (a)(v) of the motion asks the immigration committee for their input on division 5 we do not believe that is sufficient. Immigration should also have the power to vote on these clauses and amend them as opposed to their simply being referred back to us. Under this motion the power to vote and amend these sections would rest solely with this committee.
For these reasons the Liberals will also oppose the motion.