Evidence of meeting #62 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 cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andrew Telegdi
We'll do the amendment first and then we'll do one on the motion.
(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Chair, the one hesitation I have about the amendment is the word “order” in the first line. I'm not sure the committee is in a position to order anybody to do anything. I'd like to clarify that.
Is that in order, to order the department to provide something to the committee? I must say I'm uncomfortable with that. I'd be happier if we changed that word to “request”. If it wasn't forthcoming, we could seek recourse after that.
Could someone tell me the meaning of that word in terms of procedure?
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andrew Telegdi
According to Standing Order 108(2), the committee does have the power to do that.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
In light of that, Chair, I'd like to propose a further amendment: that the committee change the word "order” to “request” in the first line, and then add a phrase, “and that if the request is denied that the committee order this action”, or something.
Liberal
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Chair, if I may, I think we need to keep in mind that it's the 30 days. We're going to be wrapping up, so the department will have more than 30 days. The department can say to us that in order to bring everything together it can take six months to a year. I think this is an issue that a lot of people whose cases have been held in abeyance need to hear about and need to hear quickly. This is why the word “order” is in there asking the department to comply within 30 days.
I think the department has the resources as well as the personnel to comply with these requests.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I'd like to have my proposal stand, Chair, and the members can decide.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andrew Telegdi
Okay. So you're moving to amend that we request in the event of a failure of compliance we will order....
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
If we do that, I would like for them to notify us within 15 days. If they don't comply within 30 days, then they are ordered. That's what I need to make perfectly clear, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
We should vote on the amendment and proceed.
(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andrew Telegdi
We'll move on to the main motion. We will have a recorded vote.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I would just like to let committee members know that I've tabled with the clerk a notice of motion regarding a study into immigration consultants. Hopefully we'll be able to deal with that at our next meeting.
Thank you.