Evidence of meeting #51 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was workers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you.
I would just point out very quickly, before I go to Mr. Wallace and Ms. Yelich, that Standing Order 109 does provide the reporting mechanism for that, as is in the motion.
Mr. Wallace.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
When I reread the first part, that's what I was going to say, that it's redundant. I'm really concerned about the word “implement”. I know from a year's experience now that not everything that gets passed at committee ends up being implemented by the government; there are decision-making processes for that to happen. But I think for the credibility of the committee, the word “implement” is inappropriate in this case. The first paragraph of this motion actually covers off what is intended in the second piece, in terms of dealing with the summer career placement program.
I think there are other speakers, and I'm willing to listen to what they have to say, but my recommendation to the group here is that they remove that paragraph, or at least the implementation part, and make it lot more palatable to everyone.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK
I just want to make a comment. I think they have to know that the minister is very concerned about the career placement program. The members across who spoke about this should be jubilant about it, because the minister has responded in the House by saying these are hot economies and that we're not going to give the companies money to have students. So I think they should be quite comfortable with that.
I just think it wouldn't achieve much, as it's redundant. I think the minister is getting his head around this right now. I think we should give him a little bit of time and let him respond by delivering the program they are so anxiously awaiting.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
Tony Martin NDP Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Just briefly, some history.... This report was passed in the previous Parliament, and all of the Conservatives on that side were completely in favour of the word “implement”, thinking it was a great idea at the time. Now they're on the other side, I guess that changes things a little bit, or whatever.
I've heard from students across the country on this. In fact, I was in your backyard, Mr. Chair, just last week, at Brock University, where the president of the student union at Brock came specifically to me to say bring this message back to the government: don't cut the summer career student program, as it's what we count on to be able to make it through the year with the little bit of money we have, and given the escalating cost of education these days.
To suggest, for example, that there are some areas in the country that are hotter than others and that we're not going to put money into them in some ways actually belies the truth. I was in Calgary, the hottest city in the country, and the poverty existing there is alarming—actually, frightening. There are lots of students there who could benefit from this program.
Anyway, I just hope the government is listening and will reverse their decision to cut the $55 million.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay. If there is no more discussion, I will call the vote.
(Motion agreed to)
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
I want to note that there are motions that we need to discuss tomorrow. They've been handed out. These are routine motions, so have a look at them, and we will discuss them tomorrow.
The meeting is adjourned.