Mr. Chair, following the letter the minister sent to a number of us and that you've just read into the record, I do want to comment on last Thursday, and I am going to be putting forward a motion.
Last Thursday at this committee, we were treated to an unpleasant spectacle. During a discussion of immigration wait times at various overseas Canadian missions, the member for Scarborough—Agincourt shamefully attacked a long-time public servant. He made a shocking accusation to her, and I quote verbatim: “They're black and you don't want them in”. He said this in reference to immigration applicants processed in places like Nairobi, Accra, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Kingston, Jamaica. He later tried to partially climb down, claiming that he was referring to Africa. However, as any map will tell you, Haiti and Jamaica are not in Africa.
This forms part of the pattern of behaviour of the member for Scarborough—Agincourt, a pattern of disrespect toward witnesses, other members of the committee, and even the chair. This pattern contrasts sharply with the respectful and cooperative tone of every other member of our committee, who, when they have a disagreement, conduct themselves civilly and as honourable members should.
Allegations of racial bias are even more incendiary at this committee and should be taken most seriously. We owe it to Canadians, new and not so new, to keep a respectful and moderate tone when discussing our immigration system. So I would respectfully call on the member to apologize without reservation to the witness, the committee, and to the House.
In this regard, I will provide notice and move the following motion: That the member for Scarborough—Agincourt be reported to the House for disorder in relation to his unparliamentary outburst of Thursday, October 29, 2009.