Citizenship and Immigration Committee on March 1st, 2007

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

On our agenda is consideration of Mr. Telegdi's motion.

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

I think we're a month ahead on that motion.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Samy Agha]

That's supposed to say February 27. That's an error.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

That should make it null and void, and maybe we should start again.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I don't mind dealing with it on March 27.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

I think we should deal with it on March 27.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

The motion reads as follows:That the committee invite Mr. Jean-Guy Fleury, Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), to appear before the committee at the next scheduled meeting of the committee.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 20.

Are there any comments?

Mr. Siksay.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Madam Chair, I don't know if it would be a friendly amendment or not. If not, I'll propose it formally. May I suggest that we have it at a special meeting of the committee during the week of March 19, rather than taking the time we've dedicated to the things that are already on our agenda?

I'd rather call Monsieur Fleury to a special meeting of the committee to deal directly with that, so that we can continue the work on this report on detention at Kingston and the security certificates at the next meeting.

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

Madam Chair, since we don't have something in writing on that, unfortunately I will not give unanimous consent for a friendly amendment.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

It doesn't need unanimous consent. It's an amendment.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

No, that's how it works. If the mover agrees, we can consider this amendment.

Mr. Telegdi.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

It's also amendable at committee.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

Yes.

Are you in favour of the amendment, Mr. Telegdi?

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Yes. He wants to—

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

I just want to clarify. March 19 is the week we come back, so are you asking for it during the week before?

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

No, during that week. During the week we return we will have a special meeting to hear from Mr. Fleury.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Oh, it would be a special meeting, and not part of the regular meetings.

[An hon. member]

No, we want it next week, don't we?

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Next week.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

He's asking to come back.

[An hon. member]

I'd come back for it.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

A meeting on citizenship is already scheduled for the week of March 19. Regular meetings are scheduled for March 20 and March 22.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

He's not voting. He wants to see how our committee business works, because you're such an inspiration.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Meili Faille]

Is everyone in favour of the amendment?

(Amendment agreed to)

The motion can now be read again.

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

Madam Chair, I'd also like to add that we should also be bringing in other individuals who are appropriate to testify, like the Council for Refugees, should the evidence that we hear from Mr. Fleury require that we also bring in other individuals.