Citizenship and Immigration committee  We'd like to see more consultation. Even in the time of the Brian Mulroney government and afterwards, there were two to three consultations nationally and provincially. There were people in the field, dealing with the issues of the day, the pain and suffering of people who had to

Citizenship and Immigration committee  By “undesirable”, I was not referring to a specific group. In our history of Canada there have been times when numbers of groups have not been treated fairly and have been looked upon as those who will not contribute to the wellbeing of Canada so there is no specific group, but d

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I did mention, first of all, you didn't want anyone who was not white. Let me say very openly that's why the point system was introduced. After the point system was introduced, you could apply in Europe. I lived in Europe for years--in Sweden and in Britain--and in three to six

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Are you suggesting that there will be steps taken to make sure there is no conflict with the provisions of the Charter of Rights and--

Citizenship and Immigration committee  You are talking on behalf of the minister herself?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  On the issue of the point system, my organization, which is 25 years old, was very much involved. The point system came about as a result of our thinking that there was racism in the process of immigration. The country wanted to keep itself white. That was the immigration policy.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  As I said in my presentation, the whole bill in itself is not very clear. The intent is to restrict. The intent is to deny what was available to other people, whether refugees or immigrants, especially refugees. Unfortunately, the bill is very one-sided. I've said it, and it is n

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Are you addressing all three?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No. As usual, we were not consulted. Our organization is 25 years old, and we have a record. Invariably we were consulted, but this time there was no indication of any consultation.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I don't know in what way I am senior, but--

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairperson and members. Once upon a time I used to be in Ottawa about ten days a month. Finally they got tired of me, so for the last five to six years I haven't been in Ottawa that much. But it's quite a pleasure to see nice warm weather here, coming from rainy