Evidence of meeting #15 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was poverty.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay. That's the amendment. Let's now have some discussion on the amendment. Keep in mind that I have to leave at one o'clock because I have commitments. It means that either Madame Folco will come into the chair or we'll have to deal with it accordingly.
Is there any discussion on that amendment now?
Go ahead, Madame Folco.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I'm totally in agreement with “following completion of the poverty study”. This is fine with me. As for the one meeting, I want to know something because I wasn't here when the poverty study began. What is it that this committee had in mind to do after the poverty study that brings you to say just for the one meeting, Mr. Komarnicki?
1 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I think Mr. Lessard asked for one meeting, and it makes sense.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
It was to be on this narrow issue, I think, and that's what he was asking for. I think it could be limited to one meeting because there are other things on the agenda besides this. I'm just not sure what they are right now.
1 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Mr. Chairman, we won't agree on the amendment if this matter is put off indefinitely. Already at the last meeting, we understood that, even for the study on poverty in western Canada, we would not be travelling until the fall. If this matter is considered in late fall or winter 2010, there will be a problem, particularly since the department has just reopened the request for proposals for the second phase of the program. I believe it is quite urgent that we examine this matter, even if it means holding an extra meeting or two. I am aware that our workload is heavy, but I believe this matter should be examined quite soon.
1 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you.
I'm going to go to Madame Folco. We've now amended your motion to deal with the issue of funding. That will be the new motion we're to talk about now.
I have to leave. So after your turn, Madame Folco, you will have to step into my chair, unless the committee agrees to adjourn and we deal with the new motion at another meeting. You do have the floor, but I am just saying that after you have the floor, you're going to be coming into my chair. The committee will either want to adjourn to deal with this later, because I think it needs some more time, or you'll be in the chair.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to present this idea, if only for the fact that we probably won't vote on it this afternoon; but it will give us time to think about it and to discuss it on our own. I agree with my colleague that this is an important point that we want to discuss, but also, I'm absolutely adamant that the poverty discussion must go on to its very end—absolutely.
What I propose is one of two things, and this is why I'd like to propose it now, so we have time to discuss it. One is that extra meetings be held just for the purpose of discussing this particular item, if it passes as a motion, or a subcommittee should be formed to look into it, and then the subcommittee, once its report is ready, should then present it back to this whole committee to be voted on.
Those are the two suggestions that I make, and I wanted to make them now because they bear discussion.
Thank you.
1 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay, we have some consensus then. Can I adjourn the meeting?
We have a new motion with some suggestions, and we'll add this back on to the next meeting and continue to deal with it until we're done.
I'm not going to be here on Tuesday because I'm travelling with the trade committee. Madame Folco will be in the chair. We have three groups. We can address part of it then, and we can also take it over to next Thursday. So we have something to work with, and my suggestion is that we adjourn at this time, because it sounds like we have more discussion to go.
Do I have consensus on that from the group?
1 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1 p.m.
Conservative