Evidence of meeting #3 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was bahá'ís.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Yes, I agree. There's nothing that precludes that.
I'm losing track of the speakers. I saw Mr. Hiebert, and then I'll see Mr. Cotler.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
I just don't want us to be in a situation where we're doing multiple motions and being seen as not speaking with a coherent voice on this matter. I haven't read in detail what was passed in the previous Parliament. I just want to make sure we use this opportunity to be even more specific than perhaps we've been in the past to address this matter.
But I would not want to see two motions of virtually the same tone go to the foreign affairs committee for movement to the House of Commons. I'm hoping we can come up with some agreement on one motion that we would send to the upper committee and to the House.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Chairman, having listened to the witness testimony, I've already drafted a motion. I think because of the urgency of it, we might be able to get a consensus to act on it right now.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Now we're talking about a third motion. It was Mr. Silva's motion that Mr. Marston spoke to, and that's the motion before us. Procedurally speaking, I have to stick with that.
Mr. Silva, do you have it in front of you? If you do, could you read it to us?
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
Yes. I move that the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development table the motion pertaining to the situation of the Bahá'í community in Iran adopted at the last subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, in the House.
That is the motion that was adopted last Tuesday. Everybody got a copy of it.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Okay.
I know you're fine because you proposed it, Mr. Silva.
I'll just confirm with Ms. Thi Lac. I think she's reviewing it.
Are you in favour of this motion?
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
I'm going to take a moment to once again thank our witnesses. You've been very good witnesses and very informative. It's been educational having you here. It was also educational reading your testimony from previous appearances before this committee. Because not everybody in this committee may have seen your testimony from those previous meetings, I'm going to ensure it gets distributed to all members of the committee prior to our meeting next Tuesday.
Thank you again.
This meeting is adjourned.
