MPs agree to urgent summer study of asylum seekers surge
OTTAWA — Under mounting pressure from opposition MPs, the House of Commons immigration committee will meet at least two times before early August to study the simmering issue of asylum seekers crossing into Canada from the United States.
Committee members agreed Monday during a rare summer session to review the government’s response to the irregular border crossers, inviting testimony from Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister for families, children and social development.
Members gave a unanimous nod to future meetings after squabbling at length over details and debating the legality of asylum seekers crossing at wooded spots between official ports of entry.
“I believe what the committee decided today was to ensure that Canadians hear the truth, get the story from the government about what their work is, what they are doing, what remains to be done,” said Liberal MP and committee chairman Rob Oliphant following a testy two-hour meeting.