Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the concern. The Member is right that, under the federal Constitution Act, it is the federal responsibility for these issues. Nonetheless, we are concerned. I did hear the story on CBC and have inquired into the reasons behind what seemed to have happened here. I get the sense from the federal government that setting it up one time a year on July 1st allowed it to be more special. They thought that this was an approach that they wanted to continue with. I have had discussions with our Minister responsible for immigration, Minister Dent, and he has agreed and has proposed to take the approach of writing the newly appointed federal Minister for immigration to suggest that we need to have a mechanism for making sure this can happen here more frequently. We will probably suggest that it need not be a judge. Under the legislation, there are provisions for other people besides judges to undertake citizenship oaths on behalf of Immigration Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Brendan Bell on Question 308-15(4): Canadian Citizenship
In the Legislative Assembly on February 1st, 2006. See this statement in context.
Return To Question 308-15(4): Canadian Citizenship
Question 308-15(4): Canadian Citizenship
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 31st, 2006
Page 661
See context to find out what was said next.