Evidence of meeting #84 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Okay, Ms. Sims.
We're on the point of order, Ms. Sims.
Oh, I apologize, Ms. Sitsabaiesan. I'm always forgetting you, and I apologize.
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Thank you. You seem to be forgetting me frequently.
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In your comments to some of the previous speakers, you mentioned that speaking to the scope of the bill and to the actual bill will be happening in the House of Commons, when the bill goes back to the House. However, Mr. Chair, I do need to point out....
Should I continue?
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
My apologies. I saw you reaching for the mike, so I thought you were going to cut me off.
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
What was I saying? Right. When this bill goes back to the House we'll be able to debate the substance of the bill as well as its scope.
However, Mr. Chair, when this bill goes back to the House, most likely I will not get a chance to speak on it. It wasn't introduced as a government bill, but as a private member's bill, and there are only two hours of debate. How many is that? About three people per party can speak, and I won't have that opportunity—
Conservative
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
That's me. I'm sitting to the right of Mr. Harris.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
No, I mean to the left of Mr. Harris. How could I make that mistake? I can't decide what your House leader or whip does with respect to speaking in the House. I have no control over that. All I know is that there will be a debate in the House to deal with all the matters you're raising.
I have Ms. Sims.
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
However, Mr. Chair, the substantive debate should be taking place in committee. Committees are creatures of the House that are created—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Okay, Ms. Sitsabaiesan, I'm moving on. I've said it I don't know how many times. I've lost track of the number of times I've said it. There's one issue I want to hear about and that is with respect to this extension of 30 sitting days—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
—and you're getting into other things. You're talking about debating in the House.
Ms. Sims.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We haven't reached your point of privilege yet. We're saving that until later.
Conservative
NDP
Jinny Sims NDP Newton—North Delta, BC
Chair, with all due respect, I would request that the chair reconsider putting such tight restrictions, because I believe they limit our ability to be able to speak and to motivate us as to why we do or do not support an extension.
In order to argue whether you support or do not support a 30-day extension, unless you refer back to what you're extending, you end up in a vacuous argument, which is what I believe we're being forced into. I want to carry out my parliamentary responsibilities by putting forward coherent arguments for why I do not support the limitation you have set.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Thank you.
Mr. Harris, welcome to the....
Has Mr. Harris signed in here?
NDP
