Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 13th, 2013

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

Those are not points of order and you know it.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Dykstra....

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

As I was saying, my intent is not to be long but rather just to make a point. The point is an important perspective from me. The NDP cannot claim to represent my interests or the Liberal Party's interests, nor can the government side, so I think it's important that I be allowed to get on the record some of the frustration—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Lamoureux, you're referring to it. I don't want to hear the same debate, whether it's made by the government, or whether it's made by the official opposition, or whether it's made by the Liberal Party.

I don't want to hear the debate again and again, no matter who makes it. I'm telling you that the issue was debated a number of times in this House, in this committee, yesterday. It may have been done last week. I don't know. I have no problem with your referring to it, but I assume it's going to lead to something else.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Chairperson, it provides me the opportunity to express a perspective on what I think is an important issue, which is the time the committee spends and making sure it's as productive as possible.

Prior to the motion being brought forward by Mr. Dykstra, we had two witnesses before the committee, two witnesses I had actually invited, one from the Philippines and another from Chandigarh, and we were dealing with a very important issue. Ultimately, I was hoping to actually have those witnesses present to the committee prior to our getting on to the debate.

If this motion were to pass, Mr. Chairperson, there would be a greatly enhanced opportunity for the committee to address what we're dealing with now for yet another 30 days, whereas we do have other agenda items that I believe have a great deal of merit. This is not to take away from the importance of Mr. Shory's bill but, rather, to emphasize how important it is for the committee to be dealing with other issues. This particular issue that we've just started dealing with is something—

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

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

A point of order, Mr. Dykstra.

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

If Mr. Lamoureux would like to study or move on to another subject, I'd be happy to do so. Call the vote now. I'm hearing nothing from the opposition any more to convince me that I should be changing my mind. Let's vote.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

That's not a point of order.

Mr. Lamoureux, I gave Ms. Sims a fair bit of latitude and I'll give you some. Quite frankly, though, you're doing what I asked you not to do. We'll see how things go, but if you continue to do this I'm going to move on.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

I can appreciate that, Mr. Chairperson. As I say, it's not my intention to consume time here; I'm simply trying to make a point. I've been very careful with the length of time I've been speaking, and so forth, and I understand the sensitivity around Mr. Shory's private member's bill, but this is not to say anything other than to make sure that the committee is clear about where I'm coming from in regard to this particular aspect. It's something that I learned of yesterday. I thought it was a valid point that Ms. Sims had brought forward, and I want to emphasize this, from my perspective as a member of the Liberal Party here at committee.

To conclude, we need to recognize that a wide variety of issues need to be addressed by this committee. I would appeal to committee members to recognize that when they decide to vote, however they may ultimately vote.

I would like to see a commitment, from Mr. Dykstra in particular, that this issue of the visiting visa, something I have been advocating for virtually since I have been on the committee, will in fact be dealt with this year. If he's not prepared to give that sort of commitment, Mr. Chair, I think he's—

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

This can't go on.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Dykstra, you have to stop interrupting speakers.

Mr. Lamoureux has the floor and I'd like all members to give him the courtesy of hearing him speak.

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

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Yes, Ms. Sims.

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

I want to thank you, but also to raise a concern about the process here. It seems that we have the parliamentary secretary unilaterally counselling this committee—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

That's not a point of order.

Mr. Lamoureux, you have the floor.

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

Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We're not going there.

Mr. Lamoureux, you have the floor and you indicated that you were concluding your remarks.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Yes, Mr. Chairperson, I am.

I heard Mr. Dykstra across the way indicate or imply that this committee will not in fact—

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm going to move on, Mr. Lamoureux, because you're getting into something that has absolutely nothing to do with this motion.

I'm going to proceed.

Madame Groguhé, you have the floor.

[Sadia Groguhé, NDP, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I can see that passions are once again flaring, and I think the moment of silence would have done some good, but that's okay. I'll go right to the motion before us.

Since we have to stick to the 30-day extension, I want to say something about the course that private member's bills follow and the reporting requirement:

When a private member's bill is agreed to at second reading, it is referred to a committee for study. Proceedings in a committee considering a private member's bill are subject to the same rules and practices that apply to all public bills. Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, the committee is required to either—

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'll get to you, Mr. Dykstra.

We went through this yesterday with Mr. Giguère, and I finally stopped him. We're all aware of what Standing Order 97.1(1) says. If that's where you're going—if you're going to explain to us the different alternatives—we did it yesterday.

On a point of order, I will hear Mr. Dykstra.

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

It's the same thing. I have Ms. Groguhé's speech from last week. I'll start quoting the exact language she's using now. She has already repeated it.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

To be fair to Madame Groguhé, it seemed that this is where she was going, and I wanted to stop her if that is where she was going.

You have your hand up, and I see it, but I'm speaking. When I speak, you don't do anything.

I'll recognize you now. Do you have a point of order, or do you want to continue?

Is it a point of order?