Mr. Speaker, clearly, as ministers, we continue to do our jobs even if an election campaign is ongoing. My staff continue to do theirs.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 61% of the vote.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, clearly, as ministers, we continue to do our jobs even if an election campaign is ongoing. My staff continue to do theirs.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I must congratulate the hon. member on her election. I have not had a chance to do that.
I can assure the member that any expenses that are submitted at any time from my offices are totally above board and within the Treasury Board guidelines.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it would be great if the hon. member would get his facts straight rather than taking them as whatever he reads in the media as being the gospel truth.
As I said before, issues of national security continue to be very important to me, as they are to all of us on this side of the House.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of people volunteer in election campaigns. I am not sure about Conservatives, but in Liberal ridings we have lots of people who volunteer.
Let me tell the House that issues of national security are extremely important to all of us on this side. If the member has any allegations or any evidence to support this allegation, I suggest he should bring it forward and not just use his mouth to put the words.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, Parliament has given the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, under the act, the ability to exercise humanitarian and compassionate grounds. It is something that is done for hundreds of members of Parliament and people all across Canada. Many of those are members from the opposition.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
You asked the question. Yes, she did.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the member again and let me just remind the member that on June 11 she put in a request, and what was that, 10 days before the election, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. I issue hundreds of--
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for the question, and unfortunately I was not here yesterday or I would have answered it then as well.
It is clear that under the Citizenship and Immigration Act and under my parliamentary responsibilities I have the opportunity to grant humanitarian and compassionate grounds on individual cases. I get hundreds of requests from every member in this House, including the Leader of the Opposition, on these cases. They are looked at on a case by case basis on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
Citizenship and Immigration November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let me just assure the hon. member that the door is open on the other side, and it is the same thing. If any of our people go across the border and claim the same thing, they can also do that and claim refugee status. We have a fair system; we have a just system. Under the UN convention, if someone claims asylum or refugee status in a country, they are entitled to due process.
Citizenship and Immigration November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is well aware of the fact that we continue to have a very fair and generous system. It is quite effective, and there are lots of avenues of recourse for anyone who disapproves of the decisions that a refugee board makes.