Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Feb. 11th, 2008

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

I just want to drive one point home very clearly. We sat around this committee and struggled to get a unanimous report, and we gave and took. When we all agreed--100%, unanimously--that we would limit it to first-generation Canadians, we realized that would cut some people off. That was part of the give and take. Something was given and something was taken, but we came to an unanimous report.

Mr. Telegdi said, if the minister mirrors that report, or essentially follows that report, we will ensure a quick passage to the House. Today they're trying to say, let's now do an amendment to enlarge that, or change that, or do something different.

We've said we'd bring this bill before this committee for a quick passage based on that unanimous report. To change it at this stage and try to manoeuvre it around with another amendment is not on.

I just want to make that specific point, that Mr. Telegdi was first to say, let's have a unanimous report and let's move in line with it. Now he wants to change it in a substantial way, and that's not the way to do business.

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

Excuse me, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Is this a point of order?

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

It's to what Mr. Komarnicki was saying.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

No, it's not a point of order.

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

It is a point of order, Mr. Chair. I think what Mr. Komarnicki said is completely--

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

It's not a point of order.

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

I'll withdraw.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Thank you.

Mr. Batters is next.

[Dave Batters, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just want to reiterate that Mr. Komarnicki and I are on the exact same wavelength.

Mr. Allard, I think you summed it up better than I can. This is not an issue that should be political. It's not an issue that should be partisan at all. I don't think we should engage in discussions as to who dragged whom along.

In the last meeting, I gave each member opposite: Mr. Telegdi, Mr. Karygiannis--

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

Are we going back at this again?

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order.

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

The member is certainly--

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order, please. Order.

[Dave Batters, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Chair, I would ask for a little bit of respect from Mr. Karygiannis. This regularly happens at every meeting. He interrupts people during their time.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Mr. Karygiannis, I'll hear you on a point of order.

[Dave Batters, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

This is ridiculous.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order. I'll hear you on a point of order--but this time make it a point of order.

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

I'm making it a point of order, Mr. Chair.

If we're following the same rules that we're following inside the House, I don't think the member can refer to somebody else by name.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Exactly--

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

Should he want to refer by the riding, by all means. If not, don't refer to us at all.

[Dave Batters, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

I'd like to check with the clerk on that, because within committee you can refer to people by name.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

I think in committee, as I was about to say to that point of order, you can refer to honourable members by their last names--preceded by Mr., Ms., what have you.

But that is not a point of order.

Mr. Batters, please continue.