Evidence of meeting #151 for Justice and Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was hatred.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Lina Chaker  Spokesperson, Windsor Islamic Council
Sinan Yasarlar  Public Relations Director, Windsor Islamic Association
Elizabeth Moore  Educator and Advisory Board Member, Canadian Anti-Hate Network and Parents for Peace, As an Individual
Faisal Khan Suri  President, Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council
Avi Benlolo  President and Chief Executive Officer, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
Mohammed Hussain  Vice-President, Outreach, Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council
Dahabo Ahmed Omer  Board Member, Stakeholder Relations, Federation of Black Canadians
Akaash Maharaj  Chief Executive Officer, Mosaic Institute
Sukhpreet Sangha  Staff Lawyer, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
Bradley Galloway  Research and Intervention Specialist, Organization for the Prevention of Violence
Shalini Konanur  Executive Director and Lawyer, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

I will ask you to rule that out of order.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

Guys, what I will do is I'm going to allow Mr. Suri to respond. I certainly don't agree with the comments made, but at the same point in time, this is Mr. Cooper's time.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

It's unfair to put Mr. Suri in that position. That is unfair—

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

I challenge the chair.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

—to put Mr. Suri in a position to have to defend himself in front of the—

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

On a point of order, I challenge the ruling—

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

It's unacceptable.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

—of the chair.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

There's no ruling here right now.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

You can't put Mr. Suri in that position. That's unfair.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

There's no ruling here right now. There's nothing to challenge. I haven't made a ruling.

I didn't agree with the comments made by Mr. Cooper. I'm sure Mr. Suri doesn't agree with the comments and I see that all the other members don't agree with the comments. I think Mr. Suri has a right to respond, if he wishes to respond.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

I think that's unacceptable. You're putting—

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

The whole comment's out of order.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

—him in a position of vulnerability to have to respond to these attacks. Quite frankly, that's unacceptable. He didn't come here today to defend himself. He came here to present on behalf of his organization.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

I understand—

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

It is unfair, Mr. Chair, if you attempt to have him respond and legitimize what has been said. I will call for us to go in camera immediately. I think I'll have support from my colleagues.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

I don't think there's a question of legitimizing it at all.

I think, again, members have their time to make their comments. I don't agree with Mr. Cooper's comments, but this is part of his time.

I am going to ask, and I will give time for Mr. Suri to respond—

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

Mr. Chair, I move that we go in camera.

9:30 a.m.

An hon. member

On a point of order—

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON

The explanation you have provided really provides little comfort. You are saying that a member can say anything they'd like to say. That is completely unacceptable.

9:30 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

I put a motion on the floor that we go in camera, please, to have this conversation. I'm not comfortable putting our witnesses in this very difficult position of listening to this disagreement that we're having.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

I second the motion.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

That's fair.

There's a motion to go in camera. All those in favour?

9:30 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather

We're going to move in camera, with apologies to everyone.

We're going to ask everyone who is not part of the committee to leave the room for a very brief period of time. We will have you come back in as soon as possible.

[Proceedings continue in camera]