Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Jan. 30th, 2007

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I don't think, sir, I'm asking about political affiliation; I'm asking them a specific question--have they ever sought political office? That's part of a résumé.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

It's on the edge. If the member wants to answer that question, I will allow it, but I will monitor this very closely as to political affiliation or party affiliation or party contributions.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Have we got something to hide here, Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order, please. I'm simply outlining what the scope of the committee's examination of the order in council happens to be. This is the scope of the committee's--

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Are we on a sensitive nerve here, Mr. Chairman, as to political affiliation of individuals--

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

No. Order, please.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

--and their appointments?

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order, please.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

People run for municipal, provincial, or federal office--

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order, please.

Again, I'm going to have this meeting strictly within the limits of the qualifications of the individuals.

Go ahead, Mr. Gill.

[Raminder Gill]

Mr. Chair, through you, to the member, if I may, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, I have been very, very privileged and honoured to be a representative of the people of Ontario as a member of the provincial parliament. My people think I did the role well, so it's been a pleasure. Hopefully, that answers the member's question.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Gill, again, let me ask the other question. Since you were a member or before you were a member of the provincial legislature, did you ever seek office in a municipal or a federal jurisdiction? Regardless of the party, did you ever run as a municipal candidate or a federal candidate? Your résumé speaks overwhelmingly, but if there's something left out of the résumé, I think you might want to add it in.

[Raminder Gill]

Mr. Chair, through you, I'm sure there are things in terms of what we have done. The résumé could be five pages long, but in terms of the qualifications for this particular job and why I'm in front of the committee, I would say the résumé covers all the essential elements. If you want to continue and have a five-page.... I think if you can't say something in one or two pages, you can elaborate and keep--

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Gill, let me ask you a specific question. Were you a candidate for a federal office once, twice, or three times in the last few elections, irrespective of the party?

[Raminder Gill]

I have been several times.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

I'm ruling that question out of order as well. It's not in order, according to Standing Order 111, to talk about—

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

What does that have to do...?

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order, please.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

The witness did answer it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Karygiannis, I'm not finished. When I'm finished, we can go back to you.

Again I want to tell you that the scope of the committee's examination of order-in-council appointees is strictly limited to the qualifications and competence to perform the duties of the post. Now you're wandering—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Chair, somebody running for political office is also a competence.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Karygiannis—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Now, if that clock is ticking—

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

You are out of order. Wait until I'm finished, and then you can intervene.

You are wandering into the area of political affiliation—

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Did I ask the question of political affiliation, Mr. Chairman? Why don't you let the question be answered? Do you have something sensitive to hide?