Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm going to inject some French into this lovely meeting, so you'll have a chance to practise a bit.
Although I am not allowed to vote, I can recommend that my fellow members not support the amendment. I would underscore that our motion struck a very good balance, including neither the word “irregular” nor the word “illegal”. The government members are really playing up the rhetoric, having introduced the idea of irregular crossings into the motion. Clearly, they are trying to force the opposition to vote against it.
I don't know whether the members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration have been to Roxham Road, but as the public safety critic, I have been there twice. The first time, I went uninvited. My staff and I visited the access point on the American side of the border. In fact, I have a nice photo clearly showing that it is illegal to cross into Canada there. Members of the RCMP came up to me, and when I introduced myself, they told me that I couldn't cross the border there. When members of my staff started to advance, the police officers immediately asked them not to take another step because it was illegal.
A member of Parliament and political staffers—all Canadian—were clearly warned that they could not cross into Canada that way. Why, then, is the government playing word games?
Those following our proceedings today are wondering why so many of their tax dollars are being used to fund a never-ending discussion when what they really want is a plan.
Had the amendment sought to include the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, we would have supported it, obviously. I would be delighted to attend another meeting in order to discuss the problem with Minister Goodale. What I take issue with, though, is the use of word games in order to force opposition members to vote against the motion. As we see it, there is absolutely no denying that crossing the border in this way is illegal. It is a matter of border sovereignty and control. The way in which we manage asylum seekers is another issue we have to deal with. Be that as it may, crossing the border in this way is illegal, and that is clearly indicated, no matter what the NDP members claim.
I ask that the committee hold meetings in order to address the issue and that this element be withdrawn to allow for a unanimous vote so that we can forge ahead. Millions of Canadians are wondering what exactly we are accomplishing here.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
