Evidence of meeting #26 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was report.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
I would like to suspend until our next meeting, then. Thank you.
[The meeting was suspended at 6:20 p.m., Wednesday, March 25]
[The meeting resumed at 4:32 p.m., Wednesday, April 15]
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Good afternoon, everyone. I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to the continuation of meeting number 26 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
Because we've not had a meeting in a couple of weeks, I have to read things that I have not said for a while, even though I know that you guys all know this.
Before I continue, I would ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. You'll also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
Also, as we don't have external witnesses today, I just want to remind members to kindly wait until I call you by name before speaking. Please don't speak over each other. As you know, it's very difficult for our interpreters to interpret, and it makes their job difficult. Of course, all your comments should be addressed through the chair.
You'll raise your hand if you wish to speak, and the Clerk and I, as always, will manage the speaking order as best we can. I want to thank everybody in advance for your co-operation.
With that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on September 16, 2025, the committee is resuming its study of Canada's immigration system.
Today, we are continuing the debate on the amendment of Mr. Fragiskatos to the motion moved by Mr. Menegakis. The clerk distributed both texts earlier today.
The next person on our list is Ms. Rempel Garner. The debate is now open.
It sounds like Mr. Menegakis is now replacing Ms. Rempel Garner, so please go ahead, Mr. Menegakis.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
At the risk of sounding repetitive given that this is a continuation of the previous meeting, I'll say that this motion is very important to a particular community of people in Canada, those of Iranian descent. I should add that it is also of concern to the broader community.
The motion speaks to, basically, a government and security analysis regarding the 700 to roughly 1,000 agents linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, commonly known by its acronym IRGC, and speaks to the fact that recent revelations have proven that only one has been deported since I believe 2022. CBSA has identified some 28 people who are very likely inadmissible and subject to IRB hearings.
We also spoke about the public safety minister appealing decisions when the immigration minister did not. I think I also mentioned a constituent who had his place of business riddled with 17 bullets.
We put the motion forward. For the purpose of expeditiousness in the meeting, I don't think it would serve a purpose to read the motion again, given that this meeting is a continuation of the motion. It covers a very important issue, particularly in communities that have a higher population of Canadians of Iranian descent, with PRs, asylum seekers and refugees who come from there.
I'd like to continue the discussion. We've had some discussions with Mr. Fragiskatos on the government side about this. I know that Mr. Ho would like to weigh in by saying a few words about the motion. Perhaps we can hear from the government side, depending on where Mr. Fragiskatos is on the list, and see if we can come to an expeditious agreement to move forward with the motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Thank you, Mr. Menegakis.
I have Mr. Fragiskatos on the list.
Do I see your hand, Mr. Ho? Okay, Mr. Ho is after that.
Mr. Fragiskatos.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London Centre, ON
As a matter of fact, I'm going to yield to Mr. Ho because I know he comes from a region that's also deeply impacted. If I'm not mistaken, he represents the riding neighbouring Mr. Menegakis'. I'll also turn it to him because I think they'll make related points. It just makes sense to do it in that fashion, Madam Chair, and then you can come back to me if you wish.
Conservative
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
I'm pleased to be speaking today on behalf of the people of Richmond Hill South and the neighbouring areas and of folks across the country, all of whom are feeling the consequences of regime officials who have been let in—hundreds of them we know of—and are terrorizing businesses. They are terrorizing activists and intimidating journalists.
It's an insult to the community I represent to see regime officials and their family members living not the good life but the high life off the wealth that has been plundered from the Iranian people. Seeing those people living without consequences is like spitting in the faces of the people I represent.
It's important that we're discussing this motion today. As Conservatives, we're always going to fight to kick out terrorists. I'm glad the Liberals on the other side are entertaining our motion today. Hopefully, we'll have a resolution on the matter so we can push this forward.
Thank you.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London Centre, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
In our last meeting—as you will recall, and I'll remind colleagues as well—I sought to introduce an amendment that would serve as the last paragraph of the motion.
As I understand it, procedurally, I cannot amend my own amendment. Ms. Sodhi has kindly offered to put forward a subamendment that parties have discussed in advance and I think will agree to here today.
Liberal
Amandeep Sodhi Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Our subamendment is to remove the last sentence of Mr. Fragiskatos' amendment, which says, “and report its findings to this committee within [60] days.” It would then read this way: “That the Government of Canada undertake a thorough legal review of the measures raised above to ensure consistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s international legal obligations.” It would end there.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Are there any comments on that proposed subamendment to the amendment?
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
The way it reads now, you're taking away the.... You said “60 days”, but the amendment I have—
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
All right, so it is “30 days”.
Basically, this would happen concurrently. Is that the suggestion?
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London Centre, ON
I was just raising my hand to answer the point.
Yes, that is the effect of the subamendment. Everything would move concurrently here, as discussed.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
We have no problem with the subamendment. We have a problem with the amendment, but not the subamendment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Do we have agreement on the subamendment?
I have a thumbs-up from Monsieur Simard, a thumbs-up from the Conservatives and a thumbs-up from the Liberals.
(Subamendment agreed to)
Now we're back to the amendment as part of the original motion moved by Mr. Costas Menegakis.
Are we okay with the amendment as now amended?
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
It's as now amended. You've taken that out.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dzerowicz
Yes, we've taken that out.
(Amendment as amended agreed to)
Now we go back to the original motion as amended.
Are we in favour of the original motion as amended?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
That was great work in all of 11 minutes. This is excellent.
Is there anyone else on the list?
Mr. Fragiskatos.
Conservative