Evidence of meeting #34 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was refugee.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Former Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board, Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers
That's the more likely one and that may be the conclusion. We may wait.
Lawyers always like facts and evidence, and that's what we had in the refugee health cuts case. Remember in that case we had 25 affidavits of horrible medical circumstances happening. We may have to wait, but then you're waiting for human suffering and you have to take the suffering and put it before the court. Surely it's not necessary.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum
The last question is to either Ms. Rico or Ms. Go. I've puzzled for a long time as to what the motive is behind this bill. The only one I can come up with is it somehow plays to the Conservative base, but I'm not quite sure how. Do either of you have any speculation on that? You have a total of 20 seconds.
5:25 p.m.
Member, Steering Committee, Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change Network
I think if they had only clause 172 and not clause 173 then I would say that it's housekeeping, but because they have both in there that talk about the exemption that targets certain groups and leaves out other groups who are not exempt, I think that the motive came out through what they listed as groups who are being exempted. Whether it's refugees or other people who the government considers are not welcome in Canada, I think that's something we can debate.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum
Thank you. The speculation is done because our time is done. I thank you to all of the witnesses for being here. I'm sorry for the somewhat truncated form of the meeting, but thank you for joining us today.
The meeting is adjourned.