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.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I know, but we could read the documents from all those organizations rather than ask them to appear before us.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I really agree with that. We should give each of them three or four basic questions. The information would then be structured, helpful and consistent. We could specifically ask them what they are doing or could do to improve the situation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
The questions would be about immigration and the roadmap.
Are we okay with that?
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Chair, I would like to make a point of order, or, actually, to ask for clarification.
Having had discussions with my fellow parliamentary secretaries who sit on other committees, and having held this position for six months, I can tell you that the current practice is not to have more than one meeting with departmental officials. So that's a maximum of two hours. It will probably be difficult to get them to appear more than once. It is also sometimes difficult to get them to appear with less than two days' notice.
It would be good to invite representatives from national organizations working on immigration matters and keep them in the wings. Basically, if we ask departmental officials to appear here with two days' notice, those meetings may well not happen.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Boissonnault.
The clerk tells me that we could perhaps try to meet with representatives of the National Community Table on Francophone Immigration. I will let the clerk see what can be done for Thursday, in the light of what Mr. Boissonnault has just said.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
During the hour when we are going to work on Immigration, we should give consideration to the questions we want to ask those groups. That is very important. I think that we have to structure the things we are asking.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
You are absolutely right, Mr. Samson.
Are there any other comments?
That's good; we are finishing on time.
Meeting adjourned.