Evidence of meeting #29 for Public Safety and National Security in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rcmp.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
The Liberals are going to rescue the minister. That's great.
You have time to think now, Minister, about how many there are.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
I'm sorry, Mr. Caputo. I unfortunately have to interrupt.
I will turn to the point of order in a second.
As you noted, I was somewhat patient with the overlap of conversations, which was unfortunate for the interpreters and very unfortunate for those who need interpretation to understand the flow of the conversation. Having noted that, I will most likely be more strict with the conducting of those conversations.
I will now turn to the point of order by Mr. Ehsassi.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Chair, it's really unbecoming of a member of this committee to ask a witness a question—
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
My point of order is that this is not the way to go about asking witnesses questions, and the member, Mr. Caputo, is fully aware of that. He has been around long enough. You cannot ask a person a question and then, when they are attempting to respond comprehensively, cut them off and not allow them to provide you the response.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
Thank you, MP Ehsassi. That's complementary to what I just said.
MP Caputo.
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
On the same point of order, it is unbecoming of a member of Parliament from the governing party to attempt to rescue the minister when they're not answering the questions—
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
I didn't interrupting you, Mr. Ehsassi. I'd appreciate the same courtesy. Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
I think we now have a clear invitation to be as serious, engaged and tough on questions as we need to be. At the same time, we need the conversation to be understandable and understood by everyone listening.
MP Caputo, can I turn to the minister for the answer?
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
No. That's two minutes we'll never get back.
In that two minutes, Minister, I hope you were able to consult with officials so you can just give us a number. How many IRGC operatives, or those related to them, do you believe to be in Canada now—not who you're looking at and not who you're scanning? How many are there?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Caputo, we are in the process of going through 24 individuals, who are deemed to be members of the IRGC, for removal.
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
This is the last time I'm going to ask this. I didn't ask you how many you are going through. I asked you how many are from a terrorist regime. Iranians across this country have been subject to terrorism. I'm asking, how many—just the number—of IRGC terrorists are there in Canada? If you don't know, please just say you don't know.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Caputo, this is a very serious matter. If you will permit me, I will give you the answer that I think Canadians deserve.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Right now, there are 24 individuals who have gone through an assessment, and they've been deemed to be members of the IRGC. That is the position of the Government of Canada. We are in the process of removing them, Mr. Caputo, but I can also elaborate in terms of the numbers—
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Minister, I don't think I'm getting a serious answer.
Minister, how many people? The last time you were here, we learned through CBSA that 32,000 people had warrants out for them, as in you didn't know where they were. That's one-third of the city of Kamloops. What is that number today?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
That information, Mr. Caputo, is available online.
Conservative
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
It's available online, Mr. Caputo. I can ask—
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
I don't think there's anything funny here, Mr. Caputo.
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Nor do I.
Canadians, behold your public safety minister.