I would like to speak in favour of the motion.
I have already spoken out on the issue of Palestinian families currently living in Iraq. Canada takes in younger refugees, but forgets about parents and grandparents. They are left behind. Cases involving 150 Palestinians are still pending. As a result of US operations, large numbers of people have been displaced in Iraq. There is also the issue of Iran and the countries bordering Iraq. We should seek the advice of experts and DFAIT officials on the refugee situation.
The Iraqi community is in crisis mode. I have received calls from Edmonton, Alberta, from lawyers working with Iraqi families. I have also received calls from Arab-Muslim and Catholic communities in the Montreal area. The situation is rather desperate. We need to be briefed on the situation. It is up to the steering committee to decide when we can hear from these experts. Therefore, we intend to vote in favour of the motion.