Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 13th, 2013

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Chair, I want to once again say that I'm not talking about revisiting. I know we've had discussions at this committee before. What I'm talking about are the unknown, or unintended, consequences of pieces of legislation that none of us can predict ahead of time but find out after the legislation gets implemented. That's what we were hearing about yesterday.

Actually, this morning when I went into my office and looked at my desk, a number of correspondences related to that, saying, please, we would like you to raise concerns around the impact of the legislation.

I think that's legitimate work of this committee. I would really like an opportunity to do that.

That is one example. The other one I think is where even the minister is in agreement; he has sort of said that he is concerned about the huge wait-lists for citizenship. As a matter of fact, last week, in order to facilitate some of that, I know it was a test that the government approved; they now said a rewrite can be done.

Once again, it's another item that this committee could be discussing. During this time, the extension of 30 days, we could be discussing to see how we can further improve and lessen the negative impacts of legislation, as well as look at some new ideas for studies.

On the temporary resident visa one, the TRV one, which we just started, I don't think there is an MP in the House who doesn't hear concerns about weddings, funerals, christenings, or tourists.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

A point of order, Mr. Dykstra.

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

This is the third time Ms. Sims has indicated...and here I'm falling within the bounds of your ruling of what she's allowed and not allowed to say.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

I won't mention TRVs again.

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

She has now spoken to the temporary resident visa study three times in her remarks.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

He's right.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

I will say that I was using that as an example. But I have now made that point.

It's getting to the point that—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I've really been very generous with you.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

I know.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm going to move on if you keep repeating.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Yes.

What I'm talking about is that those 30 days could also be used to discuss another program that we know needs overhauling. We've all had concerns expressed about it. That is the PNP.

That program works really well in some provinces, and we could learn a lot from that. If we had those 30 days not being taken away from this committee, we could use that time well. We could actually use it to address issues that would make a difference for many, many Canadians.

So Chair, I could sit here and give you a litany of issues. I'm sure I may think of others, and I'm sure I will come back to that point later, when other ideas do occur to me.

At this point, however, what I want to say is that when we debate a motion...and that is what we're here to do, to debate the whole motion that is before us. We've already had all kinds of limitations ruled by the chair. The chair has done that. But I really do appreciate and would urge the chair to continue to give some leeway.

If we don't actually discuss the impact of the extension, as well as the reasons for an extension, I believe we will not have a fulsome debate and it will be a very stilted debate. Therefore, I want to get to what the reasons are for the extension.

One reason, it says in here, is to expand the scope, but I want to go beyond that and question that—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We've been through that.

I'm going to move on.

Mr. Christopherson.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

It's a pleasure to be here at your committee. I think it's the first opportunity—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

It's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Christopherson. Our history goes back a long way. We've always been on opposite sides of the fence, but I've always admired you.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We'll see how today progresses.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair. I was thinking about it the other day. It's been like 23 years, I think—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Try not to remind me.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

—in this place and the other place that we were in together.

Anyway, I do appreciate the opportunity. As I say, it's the first time I've been at a committee that you've chaired and it's an honour to be here.

I've listened to some of the rulings and heard some of the rulings. I have to admit they've left me a little perplexed. However, I'll just proceed as I normally would. If, for some reason, I'm straying in terms of how you've configured this committee, I know you'll let me know, but since I'm not sure of exactly what....

Do you want the floor, Mr. Dykstra?

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

No, I just wanted to offer up that I would help you when you stray. I'll make sure I make a point of order to get you back on topic.

We go back a long way too, Mr. Chair, so there's no worry there.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Christopherson has the floor and I'd like to hear what he has to say.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair, I appreciate that.

I'm sorry if I interrupted Mr. Dykstra's train of thought.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Don't encourage him, Mr. Christopherson.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I wouldn't do that, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Just proceed, please.