Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 5th, 2023

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Surrey—Newton, BC]

[Inaudible—Editor] 365.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Absolutely not. We are tempered and merciful on this side.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Mr. Dhaliwal, it already cannot be 365 days. We don't have it on Christmas, Easter, Victoria Day or Labour Day.

Mr. Kmiec, please proceed.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

In amendment CPC‑20, I move that Bill S‑245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clause:

1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following: Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada's multicultural identity 24.1 (6) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled during Navratri.

Madam Chair, the logic of this one is that Navratri is an annual Hindu festival in honour of the goddess Durga that spans nine nights. It is celebrated differently in India's various regions. For many people, it's a time of religious reflection and fasting, while for others it's a time for dancing and feasting.

Again, persons who have a citizenship ceremony on one of those days may not be able to attend for religious reasons. Therefore, we should not be scheduling citizenship ceremonies during those days, when a person would be unable to attend.

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mr. Kmiec.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4)

Mr. Kmiec, go ahead.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CPC-21 is being distributed.

I am giving notice that there is a CPC-22 as well coming afterwards.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Just give us a second before you read. It's being distributed to all the members.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I move that Bill S‑245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clause:

1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following: Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada's multicultural identity 24.1 (7) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Holi.

The logic of this is similar to the other ones. Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival, celebrated as the festival of colours and spring. We should not be putting citizenship ceremonies on those special days for Hindus.

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mr. Kmiec.

We have CPC amendment 21 on the floor.

Seeing no debate, we will vote on CPC amendment 21.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4)

Mr. Kmiec, go ahead.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CPC-22 is next.

I also give notice that CPC-23 will be after that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Please just give us a second. Amendment CPC-22 is being distributed.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In amendment CPC‑20, I move that Bill S‑245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clause:

1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following: Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada's multicultural identity 24.1 (8) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Vaisakhi.

On Vaisakhi, Sikhs celebrate the inauguration of the Khalsa, gathering with their community in gurdwaras all around the country. Together, they listen to kirtans, read sacred scriptures and reflect on the timeless values of peace and charity. Vaisakhi also coincides with the time of harvest in India, inspiring generosity and thankfulness for the many blessings we receive.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mr. Kmiec.

We have CPC amendment 22 on the floor.

Seeing no debate, we will vote on CPC amendment 22.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4)

Mr. Redekopp, go ahead.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have amendment 23, and there will be a 24, possibly even a 25. I don't want to keep you on the edge of your seats.

I'll wait until this one is distributed properly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'll just suspend the meeting for two or three minutes so that everyone can take a little break.

While the meeting is suspended, this is being distributed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

We will resume.

We have CPC amendment 23.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I will just read amendment 23. I move that Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clause:

1.4 Section 24 of the Act is amended by adding the following:

Respecting holidays and days of significance to promote Canada's multicultural identity

24.1(9) Citizenship ceremonies may not be scheduled on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab.

In my Sikh community and with Sikh friends, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab is very important. It celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak.

As part of these celebrations, Sikhs gather to meditate, sing kirtans and reflect on the core value of Sikhism and the teachings of Guru Nanak, such as to remember God constantly, to earn an honest livelihood, and to share their earnings with everyone through charity. I think we've all experienced that as we've been to the various parades and celebrations. We all know that the Sikh people are very generous. They're always feeding everybody who comes around. It's about their values and the way their community acts out their faith.

This is a very important day for them, and it's important, I think, for us to recognize that and make sure that we are not scheduling citizenship ceremonies on that day, as they have other important things they need to attend to.

This is the amendment, and I would like to ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Mrs. Lalonde, go ahead.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I want to thank the member opposite for raising and bringing these amendments. What I see is definitely filibustering on the clause-by-clause. Lost Canadians have expressed through social media.... I know that my colleague, Ms. Kwan, made a public statement on this.

I think at this point it is very important that we realize that the department always has a consideration when it comes to citizenship ceremonies. I am very happy to see that the member opposite has finally recognized that we are having in-person ceremonies, as we have discussed many times.

It's very important for us to have the department's engagement, for us to speak with the communities, and for us to discuss important matters and what they mean. I can tell you that when I attend citizenship ceremonies, I can sense that the community takes pride in it. I did so during Citizenship Week, and there were people from many nations participating in this special event with us.

That's why I can't support this amendment at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Mrs. Lalonde.

Mr. Redekopp, go ahead.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Since Mrs. Lalonde raised this issue, I want to be very clear. She raised the issue of the Indian students we have talked about, and I want to make it very clear to everybody that I have raised this issue four times. I tried to bring it to this committee and tried to get this committee to look at this issue. Every single time, the Liberals and the NDP have voted against speaking to that issue. So I want everyone—

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Mrs. Lalonde, go ahead.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

We are talking about an amendment about oath ceremonies.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Yes, thank you.

Mrs. Lalonde is right. We are on CPC-23 now, so please direct all your questions on CPC-23.

That's a valid point of order.

Mr. Redekopp, can you keep your comments on CPC-23?