Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Dec. 7th, 2017

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

I will commit to continuing to consult, which your party and your government didn't do when they were drafting their own citizenship guide.

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

Actually, I have consulted on this, Minister. Over 17,000 Canadians have signed a petition to keep this in here. I can't imagine any group that would suggest that you should take it out, so I'm wondering—

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

The citizenship guide has not been written, and I'm consulting with stakeholders.

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

I'm asking you today—

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

I've given you an answer. Thank you.

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

Ultimately, this is your decision. It affects millions of women worldwide. We know that the Canada Border Services Agency—

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

In our government, we make decisions based on consultations. Thank you very much.

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

Mr. Chair, I have the floor. I have the floor.

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

You asked me a question. I'm answering. Unless you're making a speech....

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

Minister, this is a very simple yes-or-no decision.

Will you commit to including female genital mutilation in Canada's citizenship—

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

I will commit to continuing to consult stakeholders in a way that you did not when you were in government.

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

Which stakeholder are you consulting that is—

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

We're consulting experts who are advising us on—

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

Have there been any experts who have suggested—

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

—making sure the citizenship guide is diverse—

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

Have there been any experts who have suggested—

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

—that it includes women—

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

Have there been any experts who have suggested—

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

—that it includes LGBTQ2—

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

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order on decorum. It's decorum, Mr. Chair.

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

—communities who have—

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

I have a point of order on decorum for the witness.

[The Chair, Liberal, Rob Oliphant]

If I could have the floor for a moment, I'm being reminded that members should display appropriate courtesy and fairness at all times when questioning witnesses and that witnesses are to answer questions. However, if they feel the answer has been given, that is also fair, so I would ask the member to show appropriate courtesy and fairness. I believe the witness has answered the question.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, you've suggested that you're consulting with people on this particular issue. Which groups have suggested that this should be removed from the citizenship guide?

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

No one has suggested that it be removed.