Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Dec. 12th, 2023

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Ms. Kayabaga, there's a point of order.

Go ahead, Mr. Redekopp.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

I do enjoy the French language, but I want to point out that this is a repetition of what we've already heard in the English version. It's the exact same thing.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I haven't read the English version yet.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

You're repeating something that's been said, and I don't think that's necessary in this meeting tonight.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Mr. Redekopp.

Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor. Go ahead, please.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will repeat the sentence again because I was not able to finish:

The “ghost consultants” created an exploitative scheme—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

There's a point of order.

Go ahead, Mr. Drouin.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I have a serious concern when members of Parliament are questioning the language of choice of other members.

It has happened with Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Redekopp—

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—[Inaudible—Editor] speak the language of their choice—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

There's already a point of order. That's why I gave the floor to Mr. Drouin.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I will speak French if I wish to do so.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. McLean, go ahead on a point of order.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am going to interject here. There was nothing raised about anybody's use of either language in this committee, because both official Canadian languages are permitted.

As a matter of fact, we had a witness here speaking in another language as well, so we entertain all languages, contrary to Mr. Drouin's completely inappropriate interjection. My colleague was only saying that there was repetition being foisted on this committee at that point in time, so I would like that to be clear, and Mr. Drouin should withdraw.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Mr. McLean.

With due respect to everyone, we have both official languages in committee. We follow those steps here, and all the members are doing that and respecting that right.

Go ahead, Ms. Kayabaga.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will start the sentence over again because I am not being allowed to finish. I really want to finish it.

The “ghost consultants” created an exploitative scheme that has left many students, graduates and postgraduates facing removal orders on grounds of misrepresentation and a five-year ban from entering Canada. The committee strongly condemns the actions of “ghost consultants” in India who have preyed on international students. The committee urges the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Public Safety to immediately use their discretion to stay pending deportation orders and to provide remedies to those affected, such as by offering permanent residence through the use of humanitarian and compassionate considerations or by implementing a temporary public policy.

Mr. Chair, that was the French version because I was speaking French earlier, but I will now read out the press release in English.

It was to condemn the actions of the ghost consultants in India who preyed on international students. As I stated earlier, this was drafted on June 14, 2023—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

There is a point of order.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I just want to ask a question. Is interpretation service being provided? I just want to know because the quote is being read in French and English, but we have interpretation service. They are saying the same thing. I don't mind if people say various different things in their preferred language, but I just want to make sure that we have interpretation service. If so, I do not see why the same thing has to be repeated in both languages. I will let the member do so, of course, but I just want to make sure that we have interpretation service.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Ms. Kayabaga, you have the floor. Go ahead, please.

Hopefully you will not repeat what has already been said. I would welcome new information.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Chair, I think that's an unfair thing to ask me. I have the right to speak in this committee. I have the right to raise issues as a member of this committee. I'm a permanent member of this committee. I'm a bilingual member of this committee, so I speak in whatever language I want to speak in—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

You are welcome to.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

It is my right as a Canadian in this country to use whichever language I want to use and express my thoughts in both official languages, as I speak both official languages.