Public Safety Committee on Nov. 7th, 2024

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Simon Larouche]

Good morning. I call this meeting to order.

I see a quorum.

I need to inform committee members that the chair has resigned. We must now proceed to the election of a new chair.

As clerk of the committee, I can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions and cannot entertain points of order. Also, I can't participate in the debates.

We can now proceed to the election of the chair.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government.

I'm now ready to receive motions for the chair.

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

I move that the chair be Iqwinder Gaheer.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Jennifer O'Connell that Iqwinder Gaheer be elected as chair of the committee.

Are there other motions?

It doesn't look like it.

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Mr. Gaheer the duly elected chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Clerk]

I invite him to come to the chair.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Hi, everyone.

I hope the committee resumes as blissfully as my election to chair, but I would like to ask for a brief pause so I can consult the clerk as to the next steps.

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

We should just move right into the meeting.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Chair, you are the chair, so it's up to you.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting 129, part 2, of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

We are resuming our meeting of Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format.

Before we begin, I'd like to ask all in-person participants to read the guidelines written on the updated cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. You will also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.

I'd like to remind participants of the following points. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. All comments should be addressed through the chair. Members, please raise your hand if you wish to speak, whether participating on Zoom or in person. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.

I know there is a 106(4) motion, but we are going to start with resuming debate on the amendment by Mr. MacGregor to the motion by Mr. Motz which was moved on November 7.

I recognize Ms. Dancho.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Thank you.

I have a point of order on a procedural matter that I'd just like you to confirm, Chair.

We are continuing after the suspension, but we have that 106(4) request, as you've outlined. It is my understanding that, once those issues of the matters in the suspension are resolved, we would go into the 106(4) matter, which is, of course, about the ISIS terrorist plot to bomb Parliament Hill and a Jewish gathering that had MPs and others there. Of course, we sent a letter to the chair.

Can you just confirm that, if the matter at hand is resolved and the Liberals end the filibuster, we would go into the 106(4) if we deal with that motion first?

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

We are going to resume debate on the amendment by Mr. MacGregor to the motion that was brought forward by Mr. Motz on November 7, and then we will move to the Standing Order106(4) matter after that debate.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

I'd like to be added to the speaking list, sir.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Sure.

When we suspended the last time, Mr. Chahal had the floor, so he will be speaking first.

Ms. Dancho, you will be next.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

I recognize Ms. Damoff.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Thank you.

My hand was up before Ms. Dancho raised her point of order and asked to speak.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Do you have a point of order?

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

It's up right now.

I should be next on the speaking order, after Mr. Chahal. My hand was up as soon as you took the chair.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

I apologize, Ms. Damoff. I'll keep better track of the screen in front of me.

I did see Ms. Dancho's hand first, so I'll list her first.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Except, it was up.... I can't help that the clerk or you didn't see it, but I had it up long before she raised her point of order, Chair.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

You can challenge the ruling of the chair, but I've been told by the clerk that there is no challenge to the speaking list, that it is my decision.

I apologize that I did not see the screen. There's a chance that your hand was up before Ms. Dancho's, but the list so far is Mr. Chahal resuming, then Ms. Dancho, then Ms. Damoff and then Ms. O'Connell.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Thank you.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Chair, congratulations, on becoming chair of this committee.

Before I begin, perhaps the clerk could you provide a recap.

We did have a motion that was brought to the floor by Mr. Motz. We had a subsequent amendment brought forward by Mr. MacGregor. I see there are a few other members who have joined us today, who may not have been present on November 7, when the meeting was suspended.

I think it would be beneficial for all committee members to have a clear understanding of where we are in debate. I have an understanding of where we are, but I think just for clarity, as members raise their hands, they'll be able to appropriately debate the amendment we're on.

I'm wondering if the clerk could provide a quick update on the original motion brought forward by Mr. Motz and then the amendment that was placed by Mr. MacGregor.

[The Clerk]

The original motion reads:

That once the committee has conducted eight meetings on the study on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns in Canada, the committee proceed to the following matters in order:

1. The committee concurrently undertake, allotting alternating meetings of not fewer than six meetings each, its agreed-upon study on the rise in violent crime and a study examining how addressing gaps in community mental health and substance use health supports, including preventative and early intervention services can improve public safety in Canada; that both the Minister of Public Safety and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions be invited to testify separately for one hour each in this study; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

2. The committee invite the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Immigration to appear before the committee as soon as possible pursuant to the motion passed on September 19, 2024.

The amendment was to the first part of the motion and reads:

That, once the committee has conducted both the study on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns in Canada and the study on electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India, the committee proceed to the following matters in order:

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

I'm sorry. I have a point of order.