Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 9th, 2010

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Okay, we're going to vote on clause 1.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Sorry, has it been moved?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

As Thierry's not moving his amendment, Denis is.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

That's it.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Chair, on a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

No, no, just a minute.

I'm assuming, Monsieur Coderre, that you have moved clause 1, which is the short title?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

There you go.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

And do we have debate on this?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

And I'm asking to withdraw it.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We need to vote on clause 1. Does someone wish to move clause 1?

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Just to be clear--

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Unamended?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Clause 1, unamended.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

I so move.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Chair, just to be clear, on a point of order, there is no Bloc amendment, there is no cancellation, and there is now a motion to move the title, without any amendment. Right? I understand.

Mr. Chair, originally, had it been just the way it had passed, I would not think it was very balanced. I've said so many times. I want it to be fast and fair, but it wasn't fair. But I think now I can accept it. I don't like the title, but I can't say that it's necessarily unbalanced. It would be difficult for me to vote for the bill and then say it's not balanced, so I'm going to support the title, even though I hate putting these names on these crooked consultants, the “balanced” package, or however we have that in front of us.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

For the new bill that's coming, you are the one who coined the phrase; it's been named after you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We're on Bill C-11, and it seems the most contentious issue is the short title.

More debate? Monsieur Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

In any case, we've done an excellent job. Some things have been changed, particularly as a result of all the criticisms, including those of my Liberal Party colleague, who diligently worked with the government.

We're saying this is a fair?? bill. The question isn't whether it's fair or not; it will be up to people to judge. It isn't up to a legislator to characterize a bill.

So I think that everyone has done an extraordinary job; everyone has worked very well. Everyone will be able to be proud and make his little speech to the media, saying that we all worked well and that we all deserve a piece of the pie.

We won't conduct a major debate on this, but, out of principle, we shouldn't characterize an act, whatever it may be.

People will say what they want about this. The minister will introduce it, and we'll introduce it by saying that it's more balanced, because, without opposition pressure, we would have had a bad bill.

I can say that too. Since we can't amend the title, we must simply delete it. However, I won't conduct a two-hour debate on that, Mr. Chairman.

I'm on the record.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Shall clause 1 carry?

(Clause 1 agreed to)

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Shall the bill as amended carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Dykstra.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Chair, are we done voting?