Evidence of meeting #3 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
I heard what you had to say. I don't know, from the clerk, if that's been done. I don't know what the practice has been. What I have heard is that it's been very collaborative and has functioned very well that way. We've stayed away from partisanship on this committee.
Sameer.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Chair, I just want to add some remarks.
First off, David, I'm really happy that you proposed this conversation around the Uighur people. I've been following this for several months and have worked on these files in the past, so I'm really happy we're doing this.
I would like to say, just generally, that we are working in the spirit of collaboration, but I'd just like us to advance this file as much as possible. I know that we're coming in from different angles. We have different ways of viewing things. It's great that we are approaching this in a non-partisan way to advance human rights, international human rights, which is why we're sitting around the table. I'm speaking to myself, but also to everybody here, just trying to underscore that I do want us to advance on this as far as we can. Hopefully, we can come out with some form of report, but I appreciate the collaboration around the table.
Thank you.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Thanks, Chair.
I really miss David Anderson today. We would have these back-and-forths about the value of having public servants or ministers or staff come forward and give substantial evidence, expert evidence, to the conversations we were having. I know that David...both Davids were quite adamant that they didn't really add to the substantial value of the report and that we should give that time to the witnesses and to the experts so that we could build upon that.
I hope we can continue with that as well.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON
Mr. Chair, I remember the last time part of my life disappeared in one of these. We just said, you know, if we want a statement from Foreign Affairs, let's get a statement from them. Then we can all read it. Frankly, we're usually ahead of them. We're usually subject experts in these things when we've had them in. Like anybody, I would love to make a partisan point, but I've always tried to make sure I've kept my self-discipline in that regard. That's why we've never called a minister, because it's just too easy to go sideways.
I think the best thing we can do right now for Uighur Muslims who are facing genocide is to do some good work and to get into the hands of government some good recommendations, and hard-hitting ones, too. It's not to embarrass the government. It's just to give them material and say, “Hey, this is what's going on. These are some actions we can take to make sure we are leaders on this.”
I really think this is a time when the government of the day can shine in this regard, just like Brian Mulroney shone when we were the leaders against apartheid. If this isn't of the same magnitude or more, I don't know what is.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
I agree. I subbed in on the Rohingya. I also heard about Magnitsky and about the violence against women and children. I thought the way the committee worked was very productive and got the right message out, because they did it in a non-partisan way. We can always see a lot of opportunity to go partisan, but it was so much better and felt so much richer than what I've seen in other committees.
Garnett.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I think those are all fair points. Even if your desire is perhaps not to be partisan, sometimes having a minister in front of you is just a temptation that's too hard to resist. Maybe I can suggest that we do invite the department, as David mentioned, to send a written brief, if they wish. Then there's no worry about that leading to any kind of back-and-forth. It's part of the testimony as a written brief submitted. This happens with our studies, of course. Written briefs are submitted. As I understand it, they are as much a part of the evidence as anything else. There's just not the back-and-forth questioning piece of it.
So let's be intentional about inviting that input, if it's desired. I think that will help strengthen our study while leaving the hearings themselves for the outside witnesses.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
If you have witnesses you want to be kept confidential, make sure that is clear to the clerk when you send those names in. Thank you.
Alexis, were you up next?
Bloc
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON
Perhaps we could now go in camera briefly before we adjourn, Chair. You reminded me of something and we can only discuss it in camera.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Okay.
Seeing consensus, we'll go in camera at this time.
We'll suspend.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
