Evidence of meeting #17 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was caregivers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:55 a.m.
Executive Director, Intercede
So the caregiver gave me the numbers of Ms. Dhalla and the other man in the house. At that point in time, when she mentioned his name, having the same last name, I assumed that they were husband and wife. I didn't know at the time that they were brother and sister. I know that now.
So I called him. He was very busy, as he has indicated, and I told him why I was calling. He said I should speak with her. I proceeded to make a phone call to her and we had a conversation. In fact, if she checks her phone records she'll realize that.
I made a call that lasted a very short time. I didn't get to reach her. I left a message, one I knew would get her attention, and she phoned me back and we had a conversation.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
So to be clear, you actually left a phone message for her to call you and she did in fact return your phone call.
9:55 a.m.
Executive Director, Intercede
Her phone records will tell how long the conversation was. My phone conversation was with the person who answered the phone in her office, who left and came back and said she was busy and wanted to know what the call was about. I told her--the person who answered the phone--what the call was about. Shortly after, I received a phone call from her.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
As we sort of move through this process, the one thing that we had passed.... I want to turn this into a more general question, because we obviously had the caregivers here, who presented through video conference. Do you think that through this process the Dhallas have given them every opportunity to be able to respond and question the issues that they faced while in the employ of the Dhallas?
9:55 a.m.
Executive Director, Intercede
I don't know the answer to that question because I was not privy to the hearings. I don't know what the caregivers.... I spoke to one caregiver, by the way, a woman by the name of Richelyn Tongson, I think it was. I have her name written down.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
9:55 a.m.
Executive Director, Intercede
To answer your question, I think it is their call to answer that question. I am not sure what they presented and how justified they feel in the time that was allotted to them and the process. I wouldn't be able to answer that.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Okay. It's now ten o'clock. Members of the committee, I need direction to stop and then start with the next round of witnesses or to continue.
Mr. Dykstra.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
Based on what we're hearing, Mr. Chair, there is absolutely no way we can.... We've only been at this for about 35 minutes. We have had one shortened round. These folks have flown in here to sit with us. The taxpayers have paid for them to be here. I want to hear a little bit more of what all three of them have to say.
I think we need at least another couple of rounds. I'm suggesting that we extend this by 30 minutes.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I'm at the mercy of the committee again. We also have witnesses who I think are sitting at the back, and they were scheduled for an hour. But it's whatever the will of the committee is.
Ms. Mathyssen.
10 a.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Chair, I have another committee at 11 o'clock, so my time is constrained.
10 a.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Chair, other people want to present, and I'm sure their testimony is equally important. I think we should thank these witnesses--
10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
All those in favour of concluding our time now with this group of witnesses, raise your hand. Those opposed?
We are going to continue, I don't know for how long. It's agreed we're going to have one more round of four minutes for each caucus. I'm going say to Ms. Mathyssen and Monsieur St-Cyr, I was very generous with you guys, so don't expect too much from me.
Mr. Karygiannis.
10 a.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Ms. Mason, when an agency is looking for some funding and assistance, they usually go to a municipal member, a provincial member of Parliament, or a federal member of Parliament and ask if they will write a supporting letter when they apply for funding. Have you asked any elected politician to write a letter for you? How long has your agency been up and running and supporting caregivers?
10 a.m.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
You are the executive director, and you are a volunteer with the agency?
10 a.m.
Executive Director, Intercede
No. I am working part-time as the executive director and have a salary.