Evidence of meeting #57 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was afghanistan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
If I may finish with my time, Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration made that comment and inferred that, and then you replied to that question. I just don't think that's helpful.
Why we're here today is that we're talking about Canadian humanitarian groups that have been blocked from providing aid, and I think it's unfortunate to go down that road in this strange defence of inaction.
What I would like to ask, Minister, on this question is this: Does this legislation apply to Canadian citizens working for non-Canadian organizations, such as UN agencies or other organizations?
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I can respond first to that comment because I think you've misinterpreted. Sadly, you've misinterpreted—and in good faith, I would imagine—what I said.
What I said in response to my colleague was that we were doing what we could to help Afghan people through other international organizations. It wasn't meant to replace what could be done to help Canadian organizations. It was doing what we could do at the time in the face of a humanitarian crisis. We did that, and that's all I meant. I have worked in good faith to try to bring forth this current piece of legislation and I will continue to do that—again, to help Canadians.
With respect to Canadians who might be working for other international organizations, my understanding is that they would already be covered by the country of that exemption, but I would ask Robert or Glenn to add to that.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I'm sorry, Madam Chair. Could I please have a point of order?
I noted that with other members, such as the Conservative, Mr. Genuis, and such as Mrs. Lalonde, who asked a question of the minister, you gave him extra time finish the questions they asked, but somehow, when it comes to me, that never happens. That's twice that it didn't happen today.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
I am just trying to be fair with everyone, and everyone having the time. I am just allowing everyone to have their time.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
5:15 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I have a point of order.
Actually, why am I saying this in English? I guess I'm angry.
5:15 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
5:20 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I agree with my colleague Ms. Kwan. The minister had extra time to answer questions asked by Mr. Genuis and Ms. Lalonde. I feel Ms. Kwan at least deserves to have the minister finish answering her question, Madam Chair. Otherwise, it would be unfair and I'm sure you aren't that kind of person.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
I take that Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, but if you go into the blues, you will see that Ms. Kwan has at many times gotten extra time.
Right now, we have to start our second panel. We are tight on time.
I will go to Mr. Redekopp for five minutes, and then we will end the panel with Mr. Dhaliwal for five minutes. Then we have the second panel.
Go ahead, Mr. Redekopp.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Thanks, Madam Chair.
As long as she's quick, I will let Jenny ask her question and get an answer from the minister.
5:20 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much for that courtesy.
The question has been asked. I'm just waiting for an answer.
5:20 p.m.
Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice
The answer is most likely that through, as the minister said, their own mechanisms for international organizations they would be covered, but if a Canadian citizen abroad, for whoever they're working for, wished to apply, they would be able to apply. The legislation applies to Canadian persons and organizations.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Thank you.
Madam Chair, from what I understand, the Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Crown, which means he represents the Crown and not individual departments or agencies of the government and, therefore, seeks to protect the interests of the whole government.
For the Attorney General, I want to better understand how delegations of authority work in the department.
For those who might be listening, the delegation of authority is an official process that defines exactly who has the authority to make certain decisions, such as committing to spending money or issuing citizenship and that sort of thing. Generally, a minister, from what I understand, delegates authority down to the deputy minister, who in turn might delegate it down further to another senior staff.
Minister, is it the practice of this government for a minister in one department to delegate authority to a political staff member in another department?
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
The Attorney General's role is different. I act as the chief law officer, so in this capacity I will give legal opinions to the government, although I also can give legal opinions to the government as the Minister of Justice, and I have a number of lawyers who work in that capacity. As the Attorney General, I am the named person on every piece of litigation with the government and against the government, so in that capacity, we will make litigation decisions. I will make litigation decisions, or those lawyers who are working in that line of authority will make litigation decisions. We work collaboratively, but I guess technically I'm responsible for all of them as Attorney General.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Do you not know how the delegation of authority works in the government, then?
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I do know how the delegation of authority works in the government, but you asked me in my role of Attorney General.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Okay.
Then can you comment on whether it's normal in this government for a minister in one department to delegate their authority to a political staff member in another department?
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I'm not going to answer a hypothetical question.
What I can say is that there are lawyers from the Department of Justice who are embedded in a number of different departments across government, a number of different ministries. They are still technically under my govern, if you will, but they respond to particular ministers in that regard.