Citizenship and Immigration Committee on May 29th, 2018

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

How about yes or no?

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Just in the interest of time, I'd like a yes or no answer. Does the minister want to stop the vast influx of people illegally crossing the border at Roxham Road from the United States?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Yes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Does the minister then share the opinion that his minister colleague expressed that it is acceptable for businesses to go and pick up people at the Roxham Road crossing, and does he feel that this sentiment perhaps incents people to illegally cross the border?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

We have a clear set of immigration rules and procedures, including rules and procedures dealing with asylum seekers. That is specifically dealt with in section 133 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and we have an obligation to ensure that the law is enforced, and that's what we try to do in every case.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

To the Minister of Public Safety, how many people who have illegally crossed the border from the United States into Canada, and subsequently claimed asylum since January 2017, have been removed from Canada?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

In response to specific statistical questions, I wouldn't have those numbers with me today, but I would be more than happy to examine the question in the record of the meeting and provide the answer numerically to the committee.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Both ministers and the Prime Minister have put this particular aspect, the removal aspect, in the front of their platforms on this. On the fact that the minister does not have this number at committee, I would suggest he has it. I would suggest he's hiding it, and I would ask him if he would be able to table this number with committee by the end of this week.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

I will endeavour to answer the question as rapidly as possible, with full statistical information.

I would point out that with the additional resources that have been provided we will be able to accelerate the process.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I find it quite difficult because I think Ms. Rempel is suggesting that the minister is not being forthright, and in fact she is suggesting that he is being deceiving. I believe that is unparliamentary and it is uncalled for in this committee meeting.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

She has the right to do that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

I would say that we continue with the meeting. I am not going to prejudge that, but....

Yes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Chair, on the same point of order, I would like the opportunity to respond.

The ministers have put forward the removal aspect as one of their key platform elements in terms of their response to this issue. That the Minister of Public Safety does not know, in front of a parliamentary committee, how many people have been removed from Canada on this, at a parliamentary hearing that is specifically on this—

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

I am going to interrupt you to say that I believe we're now on to debate and I welcome you to continue your questioning.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chairman, she is entitled to respond to a comment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

No, once people move into a debate, I am—

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

It's not a debate. She is simply responding.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

And I have responded that I am not considering this a point of order.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

You're cutting her off. You're out of order, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

I am happy to be challenged on that.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

I am challenging you.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I have a point of clarification.

Are you ruling my colleague's aspersion out of order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

Yes, that's out of order, and I would invite you to continue your questioning.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

But if you would like to pursue the challenge, that is also okay.