Human Resources Committee on Feb. 26th, 2009

Evidence of meeting #6 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 measures.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Federal Contribution to Reducing Poverty in Canada

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Frank Fedyk Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Research Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Sylvie Michaud Director General, Labour and Household Surveys Branch, Statistics Canada

Garnett Picot Director General, Socio-Economic and Business Analysis Branch, Statistics Canada

Shawn Tupper Director General, Social Policy Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

12:45 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

I simply want to avoid any confusion, Mr. Chair. What I understood from your comments was that representatives of the Government of Quebec were unavailable on that date. I did not understand that they refused the invitation. Have they refused to testify?

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

That is correct.

12:50 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

So nobody will be coming, even on another date?

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

That is correct. They've refused to come, period.

I suggest we talk with the researchers after the meeting to get any further clarification. As I said, we're pursuing other options so that we can perhaps have someone who has been involved with the program in Quebec come to talk to us. So we are pursuing other options.

12:50 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Is Mr. Charest becoming less interested in the federal government?

12:50 p.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Do you want a decision on the part of the members as to where you want to go next week?

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Our suggestion, if Ontario can't make it, is that I would like us to look at the witness list to determine future business. We could do that on Tuesday, so we'll have something to do.

The second point is that I had a number of individuals from multiple parties indicating that we passed a routine motion that during our times over lunch we provide some food. We will be starting to do that next week. I realize people have other meetings and things going on, so we'll provide some sandwiches. I don't think it will be a hot buffet, but we'll do the best we can.

12:50 p.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

And don't forget the Perrier, please.

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Perrier; it's well noted.

Is there any other business?

12:50 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

On the food thing, I hate to make life difficult for the clerks, but if there are any sandwiches, can they have no fats? I don't eat anything that has butter or anything in it, and no cold cuts that are like salami or that sort of thing. It has to be something like chicken or something.

I'm just trying to say—

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

I'm going to suggest Tim Horton's. Can we do that? Never mind; it's a conflict of interest.

If there are no other comments, I'll call the meeting adjourned.