Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Feb. 12th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Good.

Are we all in favour of the amendment?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Now we will go to Mr. Ali and then Madam Kayabaga.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I thank Ms. Kwan and Salma Zahid for this very important motion.

I might have an amendment to the motion. I'd like to see if we can circulate it in writing.

The situation in Gaza is devastating. I met with one of my constituents a couple of weeks ago, who has about eight family members with numbers, but they're still waiting. They don't know what's going to happen. I was with Ms. Salma Zahid in a town hall, and one Canadian who came said his son was stuck there. There are so many stories, and we need to ask questions about the cap and why Canadians are not able to get out of there.

In my opinion, even three hours is not enough, but if we can circulate the motion as amended, I might be able to bring forward an amendment to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. Ali, do you have the amendment to the motion as amended right now? Do you want to see the motion first?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

I'd like to see what's in it, yes, and then I will be able to come back.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you.

I will ask the clerk, Mr. Bourgault, to distribute the motion as amended.

[The Clerk]

I won't be able to translate it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, go ahead, please.

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

Obviously, I'd like it to be in both official languages. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Mr. Ali, would it satisfy you if the clerk reads this slowly so that you grasp it? Committee business has to be in both official languages, and the clerk will not be able to do that the right way. If you are okay with that, I will ask the clerk to read it slowly so that you can grasp it.

I will give the clerk a few seconds to talk to Madam Zahid.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

The meeting is back to order.

The clerk has the floor.

Mr. Bourgault, go ahead, please.

[The Clerk]

The motion would read as follows with the amendment of Ms. Zahid:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and department officials to appear before the committee as soon as possible for two hours and have officials appear for an additional hour following the minister's appearance, to update the committee on the temporary immigration measures initiated in response to the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Gaza.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

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

This time, Mr. Chair, I'd like the clerk to read the motion to us in French. I don't want to put all the pressure on our interpreters for translation. I want to make sure I understand. It's less clear than it was in the previous motion.

Would someone please read us the motion in French?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I have to suspend the meeting if that is the case, because I cannot carry on. I can see that Mr. Ali has the same concern as Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

The meeting is suspended until we get the French version.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I call the meeting back to order.

Honourable members, did you get the motion from the clerk?

[An hon. member]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Good.

Mr. Ali, did you receive it?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Yes, Chair, I did.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Okay, go ahead. You have the floor now.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I want to add to it:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and department officials, and Global Affairs Canada officials, to appear before the committee as soon as possible for two hours and have officials for an additional hour following the minister's appearance, to update the committee on the temporary immigration measures initiated in response to the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Gaza.

I added “and Global Affairs Canada officials” because IRCC and Global Affairs work hand in hand on the ground. They are doing amazing work, but they face many challenges. The committee would benefit by learning from them what sort of challenges they face.

I think it would be good to learn about that and bring forward a report on this issue.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Mr. Ali.

Are members good with it?

(Amendment agreed to)

Now we will move to debate. I have a speaking list.

It's over to Madam Kayabaga and then Mr. Chiang.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Speaking on the motion that our colleague—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

That was the amendment to the motion.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I'm speaking to the motion, not the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

It's the motion as amended by Mr. Ali.