Mr. Chair, you know that I have long disagreed with Mr. Karygiannis on the way he has approached some of our witnesses and the way he's expressed himself. However, it is true that we have problems in Nairobi. It is true that the targets set for African countries are very low. It is true that the resourcing given to the Nairobi visa office is low, and there is an unacceptably long wait of five to eight years. People are waiting in refugee camps in squalor. Families are separated for years. Even underaged children have to wait in refugee camps. The situation is desperate.
I understand Mr. Karygiannis' passion; unfortunately, the way he expressed it was offensive. I'm happy that he apologized, and I certainly hope he doesn't continue. When there are witnesses here, whether they're staff or people we invite, I hope he tempers his passion and directs it to the rationale, to the government, and doesn't insult people.
When Ms. Wong felt insulted that time, I'm glad Mr. Karygiannis apologized. I just hope it doesn't happen again. We may disagree with each other's beliefs, but let's treat each other with respect. I think that's really important.
As to the issue in Nairobi, with Africans taking a long time to come, is it the country? Are there economic reasons? Is it race? I don't know.
Given that there is a letter of apology to the assistant deputy minister and her staff, I do not want to see the House of Commons spend three hours discussing this issue, because there are many other issues that are critically important, whether it's ghost consultants or temporary foreign workers--all the issues we're studying right now.
As long as I have reassurance from Mr. Karygiannis.... Please do not push your point in a personal way. Push your point on the issues, but not the people. In that case, I would not support this motion.
I was tempted, because as you know, in the past I've sometimes felt that this committee has descended to personal insult, and it wasn't positive for the work of this committee. It's happening less under your chair than in the last round, I have to admit. I hope we can maintain peace in our midst.
But I don't think it's necessary to escalate this in the House for a three-hour debate.