Evidence of meeting #16 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agenda.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
In any event, we might wind up with the same agenda anyway. That seems to make sense.
Madame Folco, and then you, Bill.
Madame Folco.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I don't know what the right procedure is -- you might give me some advice -- but I would propose, unofficially for the time being, that the motion be withdrawn. Another motion could be moved stating that, during the next meeting of the committee, there will be a debate on all the recommendations of the steering committee.
I would like it to be very clear that I am not opposed to the motion. As a matter of fact, I am rather in favor of it but I believe, like the parliamentary secretary, that we should take into account the whole of the agenda that has been recommended to the committee.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
This is a housekeeping motion put forward by the clerk, so we can withdraw that motion. It's not a problem.
Do you want to have a word first, Bill, before we withdraw this motion?
9:50 a.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Chair, on the whole consideration of the overall agenda of the committee, I want to stress that the agenda and planning committee does include representatives of all parties. We did have a thorough discussion of the fall agenda in light of the priorities that the committee established. We only planned half the fall and we're going to have another meeting to plan the remainder of the fall. So anything that's missing from the agenda we'd certainly consider including in that. The parliamentary secretary and I have already discussed some things that he believes were missing and should be included and I agree with him on that.
I also want to say, Mr. Chair, that it did happen quickly at the last meeting. However, no one forced anyone on this committee to vote for that motion, and the motion did pass the committee. I want to hold the committee to the decision that they made. I believe that motion did pass. We all sometimes worry about how quickly things happen and how things develop with the committee, but in that case it was clearly on the agenda; it was clearly moved; there was a vote taken; and it did pass. I think it's a good beginning on the priorities that were established by the committee. I think we should move forward with that and address some of the concerns that are coming up, as we plan the remainder of our work for the fall.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
I'm in the committee's hands here. The motion has been moved, so we have to vote on the motion. That's this motion here.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Why is this motion before the committee if it's not moved?
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
No, he drafted the motion. So actually no one has possession of this motion.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Telegdi Liberal Kitchener—Waterloo, ON
It seems to me that we actually have time. We're fortunate enough that it's 10 o'clock. We're scheduled to sit until 11 o'clock. I think it would be worth while to have the discussion that we should have.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
It's not there.
Is it the will of the committee to have a discussion right now?
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
We don't have an agenda for that. It's going to be difficult to have a discussion when we don't have the agenda covering that.
I'm a little bit confused about all of this. I really have to pause to find out where I go from here.
Bill, you make a very good point. The agenda did get voted on at the last meeting, albeit in a very hurried fashion. I don't know if I have a right to express an opinion on it. I think the committee members make a very good point that we should have an opportunity to discuss where we go and what the agenda should be for the future. I'd be pleased if we could come to some consensus in that regard. I notice that you're anxious to say something here.
9:55 a.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Chair, I wonder if we could just have a general discussion on people's concerns about the agenda that's been passed and refer that information back to the agenda and planning committee to either make recommendations about how that could be covered later in the fall or to consider possibilities of changes to the agenda.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
That's an agenda item next time around. Is the committee in favour of doing that right now?
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
If you want to hear from me, obviously I would sooner speak about it somewhat today, rather than not at all. To be frank, I hadn't given it the kind of preparation that should be given to it to make an adequate and proper presentation. In fairness to Mr. Siksay, the subcommittee's authority comes from this committee, so it's here that the decision lies. I can raise some of the immediate concerns that come to mind; if we want to do it for the purpose of highlighting it to the subcommittee, if they want to hear from us just on an off-the-top-of-your-head basis, I think we can do it, but I think we'll need to revisit it when we have the opportunity to think it through and put forward some positions with some reason and logic to them. My sense is we probably should do it at another date.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
I think we'll go into our meeting on Tuesday. The clerk says we'll set up a meeting for Tuesday after our regular meeting, so come prepared to speak about the agenda and what our future business will be.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
When you say “after our regular meeting”, do you mean after 11 o'clock?
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I think we'll have to check to see whether we are available after 11 o'clock.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
Why don't you just leave it in my hands? I'll try to get an appropriate time that might be good for all committee members.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
There's one point I want to raise and leave with the committee. We have two days for the Canadian Council for Refugees, which is making the submissions, and I'm sure they have a lot to say, but would it be possible to have our meeting convene half an hour before 11 o'clock? They will be back again on Thursday. Sometimes how much air you want to put in a balloon depends on how much it will contain.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative