Evidence of meeting #59 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 karygiannis.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Samy Agha

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Yes. Nobody knows how it was, or who.

Noon

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

If people want to state how it was, by all means.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Okay. So let's leave it in there--“By a vote of 7-4”--and then continue on. I think the clerk has your directions down fine and can draft that.

Noon

Liberal

Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga—Erindale, ON

We could even remove “The opposition members”.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Yes.

I think it's a good compromise to leave that first line as it is. It gives some credence to the fact that it isn't a unanimous decision. I think that's the best we can do on it at this time.

So will we just leave it to the clerk, then, to draft this?

I thank you for your cooperation—

Noon

Liberal

Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga—Erindale, ON

If this is just a matter of adding a line, we could do that now.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

No, no, it's not a matter of adding a line. I think there were more substantive things that had to go in there that reflected the full motion itself.

I will make sure, if I'm sending it out, that I get in touch with maybe one of each of you to see if it's okay.

Noon

Liberal

Andrew Telegdi Liberal Kitchener—Waterloo, ON

Mr. Chair, when would you be tabling the report in the House?

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

The refugee report?

Noon

Liberal

Andrew Telegdi Liberal Kitchener—Waterloo, ON

Yes. It's not going to be tabled until we come back?

Noon

Liberal

Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga—Erindale, ON

This motion was tabled this morning, but the report was not tabled.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Yes, I tabled the motion this morning at 10 o'clock.

So that is that.

Mr. Karygiannis has asked for a moment to bring to our attention--this is not on the agenda, mind you--a letter that was sent to me. I have not yet received it. I don't know how you guys got it ahead of me, unless I'm not really checking my mail as frequently as you are.

In any event, Mr. Karygiannis wants to bring to the attention of the committee a letter that was sent by the minister to me, copies of which were sent, I think, to all of you.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

Mr. Chairman, I can read it into the record. This is from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Isn't it quite lengthy, Mr. Karygiannis?

I'll go to Mr. Siksay for one moment, and then I'll get right back to you.

Mr. Siksay.

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC

Mr. Chair, I'd prefer to see some notice given for this. Then we can discuss it once we've all received it and when you've received it yourself. I think it's premature to do it now.

I appreciate that Mr. Karygiannis is very concerned about the contents. I had a quick look at it, but—

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

And I haven't even seen the letter.

I'm inclined to say that as well, Mr. Karygiannis. I would like to see the letter first before we bring it on as an agenda item.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

If I may, Chair, this is a letter that—

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

You know, I want to cooperate with you on this, but I don't think it's appropriate—

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

Well, can we finish that—

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

—that we bring that letter before us right now when none of us has even seen it. It's been addressed to me, and I haven't seen the letter. I want to see the letter in the privacy of my office, to talk it over, and to absorb it, and then to bring it to the committee if it is appropriate to bring it to the committee.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

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

On a point of order, I would like to agree with the position you're taking, and I would say that if the letter was addressed to the chair, you have a right. You have no idea what the content is—

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

I haven't received it.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

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

But before we actually read it into the record here, I think it's proper procedure that you have an opportunity to read it first.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle

Right. So I want to—

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

May I ask for the following, Chair?