Citizenship and Immigration Committee on March 29th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Telegdi, on a point of order.

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

Mr. Chair, as you know, I have been on this committee since 1998. I have never seen a parliamentary secretary take these kinds of actions in the committee. This has been the worst behaviour ever by a political party in my time in this committee.

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

On a point of order, that's debate, not—

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

Mr. Chair, I'd like to move that we suspend at this point in time, and that we then reconvene after question period. We can then spend all night, if need be—

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

That cannot be moved on a point of order, I'm told by the clerks at the table. Consequently, it's out of order and I have to give the floor back to Mr. Komarnicki.

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

I have the floor, and I need to speak.

I'll address that, Mr. Telegdi. I haven't seen anyone trying to—

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

We are on the amendment. Are you speaking to the amendment?

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

—I'm speaking to the amendment—to circumvent this committee by trying to ram something through in one sitting when due diligence would require us to hear from witnesses.

It's part of democracy to not only make a full answer in defence, but to know what's out there, to investigate what the options are, to look at what amendments might be required, and to do it in a fashion that's timely. There's a difference between delay and asking for the fundamental opportunity to question witnesses.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

That's right.

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

That's how democracy ought to work. Trying to ram it through in one day is not appropriate.

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

For five years, Mr. Komarnicki—

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

I speak in favour of this amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Is there any further debate on the amendment?

Mr. Devolin.

[Blair Wilson, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I'd like to call the question, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

No, I've recognized Mr. Devolin.

[Blair Wilson, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I'd like to challenge your ruling on that.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

You'll just have to be patient, Blair. We know you don't like democracy. Let the man speak.

[Barry Devolin, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

All right, would you specify what the challenge is?

Actually, I did recognize another individual, so I'm going to let Mr. Devolin speak.

[Blair Wilson, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'd like to challenge your ruling to go to a speaker.

[Barry Devolin, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to speak to the amendment that has been put forward. I think it's very reasonable. As frustrating as it is that some of my colleagues who don't want to hear this—

[Blair Wilson, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

On a point of order, I've challenged your ruling and I'd like you to put it to a vote.

[Barry Devolin, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

—think we should plow ahead with this without the opportunity to ask good questions—

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

You have to hear the point of order.

[Barry Devolin, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

—to people who are familiar with the issue—