Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen would not commit Thursday to ensuring that female genital mutilation is described as a crime in Canada’s revised citizenship guide.

In an uncomfortable exchange with Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel at a Commons immigration committee meeting this morning, Rempel pressed Hussen to say whether the government will list the practice as a crime in the citizenship guide.

Rempel has been advocating that FGM be described as a crime in the guide since the summer, when the Canadian Press reported that a draft version of the guide had dropped the line stating “barbaric cultural practices,” such as FGM and honour killings, are illegal in Canada.

The current “Discover Canada” guide dates back to 2011, when the previous Conservative government overhauled it. Hussen’s predecessor in the portfolio, John McCallum, was in favour of axing the Conservatives’ warning that certain “barbaric cultural practices” are crimes in Canada.

According to United Nations figures, around 200 million women around the world have been subjected to FGM.

Rempel asked Hussen a number of times if he will reverse his decision to remove FGM from Canada’s citizenship guide, but her question was met each time with roughly the same response from Hussen: “The citizenship guide hasn’t been written. We’re still in the consultation stage.”

Rempel also asked whether the draft document that was leaked to media in June was drafted by the department of immigration. “The citizenship guide has not been written,” Hussen responded.

“Will female genital mutilation …” began Rempel. “It has not been written,” Hussen interjected, later adding that the government is consulting stakeholders.

“This is a yes or no question,” said Rempel. “It’s not,” Hussen replied.

“FGM affects over 200 million women worldwide. We’re talking about a woman’s clitoris being cut off to remove her sexual agency,” said Rempel. “This is a practice that happens because it’s shrouded in silence and the reason why it’s in Canada’s citizenship guide right now is to arm women with an understanding of their rights. Will you commit today to ensuring this practice is listed as an intolerable practice and a crime as it currently is right now?”

“I will commit to continue to consult, which your party and your government didn’t do,” Hussen responded.

Rempel referenced a petition signed by over 17,000 Canadians who want to keep FGM listed as a crime in the guide.

Hussen did confirm that no experts have advised the government to remove FGM from the guide and he has not been directed by the Prime Minister’s Office to remove FGM from the guide.

With files from The Canadian Press.