Foreign Affairs Committee on May 25th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Dewar, we have a point of order.

Mr. Obhrai.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Dewar, this committee and the steering committee told the clerk and everybody else to get a legal opinion of resolution 1267, and you refused to go through that process.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

No, I didn't.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Let me finish. You fought through that motion—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

This is more debate.

The minister has indicated that he would respond to Mr. Dewar.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I didn't finish, though, because I was interrupted, Chair. I hope that hasn't eaten into my time.

The point, Minister, is that you have the capability of allowing him to have a travel document. What I was trying to ask you was whether you have information the RCMP doesn't seem to have--because they have cleared him. When a travel document was requested, it was you who turned him down, and you know that. It's correct. You turned him down for a travel document.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

I refused an emergency pass.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Right. Based on what?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

And I gave the explanation or reason that I refused the emergency passport.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

But you also understand that you could have granted him the pass, and that the—

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Yes, I understand, but my position on this is quite clear. I will respect the 1267 determination. I will respect the decision that was taken by the 1267 committee.

We have in the past, as a government, transmitted a request to the 1267 committee, and led by Mr. Abdelrazik's lawyer—

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

No, I understand.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

—to be able to delist him. He wasn't delisted. And we, of course, continue to support the decision that was made by the 1267 committee—and in successor resolutions.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Cannon, I have—

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Let me finish. Mr. Dewar, if we're going to—

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

There are so many things we already know and that you've already said—

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Well, if you're asking me questions that you already know the answers to, why are you asking me the questions?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

You've already answered the question and you're moving into other territory.

I want to ask you this question. It's very important. Have you ever applied for an exemption for 1267 when it comes to Mr. Abdelrazik?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Have I applied for an exemption?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

The Government of Canada. Have you, as a minister?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Not me.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Well, I'll let you know that you have. You had to. As a minister of the crown, you have had to apply for an exemption for Mr. Abdelrazik.

[A voice]

Why?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I'll tell you why, because this is information available to anyone. I would hope that the minister would know.

Mr. Abdelrazik has been receiving $100 a month, and you had to apply for an exemption so he could receive that.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Oh, okay. Well, there you go. You're mixing things up here.

Of course, yes, we asked the 1267 committee. We've informed the 1267 committee that the individual has safe haven in our embassy and that we are indeed giving him.... What's the amount of money?