Evidence of meeting #19 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 appear.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
The amendment is that the clause-by-clause consideration of the refugee appeal division private member's bill be done on June 11, prior to the end of this session.
It is a practice that we give acknowledgement and courtesy to a private member's bill that is in front of the House of Commons. The second reading passed in the House a few months ago, and it's only fair that we deal with this private member's bill on the establishment of the refugee appeal division before the end of this session. The House of Commons has voted on this matter at least twice, as I recall, in two parliaments.
That's my amendment. I don't think I need to go into details as to why it's important.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
We understand that we either support it or don't support it. It's one clause, and it wouldn't take that much time.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
Bloc
Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Regarding the witnesses that you would like to summon, Ms. Chow clearly spelled out the proper procedure to follow to summon witnesses to appear. However, I would just like to say that I found Mr. Dykstra's comments amusing because when I sat on the Public Security Committee in the last Parliament, we summoned several government witnesses to testify during our examination of the Couillard affair, and they failed to show. Also, when the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee probed the in-and-out scheme, a number of individuals who had been summoned as witnesses were no-shows. I just wanted to let you know that witnesses regularly disregard summonses to testify before a House committee.
Thank you.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I think someone has commented on that, indicating that the committee has the capability of subpoenaing or summonsing the witnesses. If they still don't show, I think we have to then go to the House of Commons, and the House of Commons either has to ignore it or take some sort of action. That's my understanding of the process.
My view, as chairman—and Mr. Dykstra saved me from going on a rant. I'm not going to name people, but all I know is that members of this committee asked for, and provided lists of, witnesses. But there are at least five, and maybe six, witnesses who completely disregarded the calls of the clerk to come to this committee and provide testimony on a very important issue we're studying.
Mr. Dykstra mentioned some of the reasons that were given to us. All of them, in my view, are unacceptable. So I find this process where we're saying, “Oh, well, it's okay”, outrageous. However, I'm in the hands of the committee, and the subcommittee has recommended that we proceed with the report. We'll see what happens on the vote.
Mr. Dykstra.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Well, you had your hand up that you wished to speak on your motion and Ms. Chow's proposed amendment.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I just want to get some clarification, because we did have a vote at the steering committee on this issue and spent a lot of time dealing with it there. Ms. Chow sits on the steering committee and in fact took part in that discussion.
So I would like to get from the clerk.... I wonder, procedurally, if—
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
9:25 a.m.
Bloc
Pascal-Pierre Paillé Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
We will of course be supporting the NDP's motion, even though it would have been such simpler if they had supported us from the very beginning. We will be supporting the NDP's motion.
9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Maurizio Bevilacqua Liberal Vaughan, ON
If I may say, regarding the fourth report, the fact that we have a schedule from June 2 and 4 and that we're actually going to be doing the consideration of report implies to me that we're obviously not going to hear any further witnesses on this issue.
While your comments are duly noted, it's an issue that not just you, as chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Committee, needs to look at, but also all other chairs who have been—
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Well, sure, this isn't a new issue. It's happened in other committees.
9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Maurizio Bevilacqua Liberal Vaughan, ON
Yes, it's not a new issue, and I think it's better dealt with by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and with the leadership of all parties, who need to understand that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Having said that, have we now approved the fourth report?
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
No. There has been a motion made by Mr. Dykstra to approve or adopt the fourth report. There's been an amendment proposed by Ms. Chow to deal with the clause-by-clause issues of Monsieur St-Cyr's private member's Bill C-291. So that's where we're at now. If there's no more debate, we will vote.
Monsieur Paillé.
9:25 a.m.
Bloc
Pascal-Pierre Paillé Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
I would like the vote on the motion to be a recorded division.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We're voting on the amendment. What were you suggesting be dealt with on June 11, Ms. Chow? Is that what your amendment is on June 11, before BIll C-37?
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
The amendment is that clause-by-clause consideration of the establishment of the refugee appeal division private member's bill be done on June 11, prior to the end of this session.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 4)
(Motion agreed to)
[Proceedings continue in camera]