Evidence of meeting #21 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 immigration.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
There will be a federal representative from the field of immigration.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Concerning Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, it would not matter to me if we divided up the time. We agreed to talk about Air Canada on Thursday. This will be a two-hour meeting, correct?
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
A deputy minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada could set things up. The next week, other people from the department could appear. Since there are various aspects and issues, various people could come and speak. Immigration is one thing, but integrating people in a minority situation and immigrants is another. This might be another component of the department.
I'm not familiar with this department and its hierarchy, but there are certainly several subdivisions. But I imagine that more than one person will come and speak to us about integrating immigrants, Syrians or other immigrants, in a minority situation. The next week, another person could come and speak about the department, possibly for two hours. We could actually dedicate three hours to the department in total.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Basically, you're recommending that a deputy minister or senior official of that department appear in the first hour on Thursday.
Is that okay with everyone?
Mr. Samson, you have the floor.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
We're talking about immigration in a minority setting. There's already a committee that deals with immigration. If we limit ourselves to an overview, a comprehensive overview of immigration, this won't be a problem, but then we will have to focus on the issues that concern us.
10:10 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
We can afford to separate it in two.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I agree that we then follow the list, but it must always be related to minority communities.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
So it's settled for Thursday.
What are we doing next week? Are we continuing with the list and the order it's in?
10:10 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I think we should spend at least two hours on immigration issues, especially integration in minority communities. Besides we spoke earlier about an action plan.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
10:10 a.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Yes. I'm positive we won't have too many two-hour opportunities to ask our questions. I have no doubts about that.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
The first hour on Thursday will focus on immigration.
10:10 a.m.
Conservative
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Yes, to get an overview. The next two hours will focus on minority communities.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
The list indicates the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and Canadian Heritage.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Right.
How much time should we give to each group? There should be some kind of pattern.
Mr. Choquette, you have the floor.
10:10 a.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Taking a quick look at the list, I see that 27 witnesses have been suggested. If we invite four witnesses per meeting, which isn't the case right now, we would need six meetings. In other words, we will never be able to get to the end of this list.
That's why I think that Mr. Lefebvre's idea of setting some priorities is really necessary. The way I understand it, we don't want to spend more than four meetings on this. We especially want to address the roadmap.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We have the possibility of setting aside two days of meetings in September, in addition to meetings in October. So we will have eight days of meetings in all.
10:10 a.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
That's what I'm saying.
The list has the names of 27 witnesses for immigration. That's why I liked Mr. Lefebvre's idea of favouring some witnesses and, whenever possible, inviting four witnesses per meeting: two witnesses for the first hour and two for the second. If we organize four meetings, we will be able to see about 16 witnesses. That is what I suggest.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
That would be 14 witnesses, because we will lose some next Thursday.