Evidence of meeting #17 for Official Languages in the 42nd 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.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Indeed.
Should we also invite the minister, so that he can tell us what the department's intentions are? We could invite him at the end, after we've heard from all the other witnesses. That way, we could share with him the other witnesses' comments. That's not at all a tactic to try to corner him. I think that, before we meet with the minister, we should meet with the other witnesses. That will enable us to convey to him the witnesses' questions or comments.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
The clerk is pointing out that we should nevertheless vote on a budget to bring the witnesses to Ottawa once the list is complete.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Okay.
This is indeed a study, like the one we did on the translation bureau. Is the committee expected to submit an independent report on the roadmap?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Yes, that's definitely what I would want, as well.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
We want to have six meetings to hear testimony, but the study will extend beyond that timeframe, since we will produce a report.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We will have three weeks for testimony and one additional week for the report.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
We will need another week to analyze the report and whatnot. We have to keep that in mind when talking about timeframes.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. Lefebvre, the floor is yours. It will then be Mr. Vandal's turn.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Immigration is part of the roadmap. I understand wanting to carry out an independent study, and I don't see any issue with that. However, we don't want to duplicate the work; we don't want to redo the study on immigration while carrying out the study on the roadmap.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
So we will do this study on immigration and incorporate it into the roadmap. Do we agree on that?
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Yes.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I want to make sure that I understand. We will not produce a report on immigration, but we will continue the study of the roadmap and integrate the immigration issue into it.
Is that what you are trying to say?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
No. I want a separate report, which will no doubt inform the study on the roadmap.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
I will definitely suggest witnesses. Immigration is a very important issue for Manitoba and Alberta, in western Canada.
What is the deadline for proposing witnesses?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
I suggested June 13, but it could also be June 15. Let's set June 15 as the deadline. Agreed?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
I give you until Wednesday, June 15; so a week and a few days.
Ms. Boucher, go ahead.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Last year, a study on immigration was done. The government considered the issue for nearly a year, and a report was submitted. The last meeting was held on May 26, 2015. It may be important to find out what is in the report, so that we don't duplicate the work.
Isn't that right, Mr. Vandal?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Can we ask the clerk to distribute the report Ms. Boucher is talking about?