Human Resources Committee on March 8th, 2010

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Thank you.

As you will know from discussion with your colleagues, we were well on our way to concluding a report on developing an anti-poverty strategy for Canada, which I think is a very important report. We need to prioritize that and get that done.

I also think that with the budget it would be very important to express our hope to the minister that she would appear before us on estimates as soon as possible and, as well, to have a separate meeting with officials. I would see the meeting with the minister at the earliest opportunity, and with the officials, and then the resuming of the poverty report.

Then, of course, we have Bill C-304, which I think was unfortunately the only bill that had gone through committee but wasn't reported to the House, and which we need to bring back at the earliest opportunity as well.

Those are just a few thoughts. I'm sure they're nothing radical, but that's how I see where we are.

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

I appreciate that, Mr. Savage.

I thought that's what the steering committee probably would look at in deciding what the priority was for all of us. I appreciate those comments.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

And welcome to the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Thank you.

Monsieur Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Still in the order of priorities, Madam Chair, there are two bills that are very important for the members of the committee and for people who are losing their jobs. These are Bill C-308, which reforms employment insurance, and Bill C-241, which addresses the waiting period. We must keep in mind from the outset that these are on the list of priorities. In any event, we are certainly going to rearrange the list of priorities through the work we do as a committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Thank you very much, Monsieur Lessard.

Are there any other comments?

Mr. Komarnicki.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Yes. There is no question that the estimates are something of a priority, and the minister will certainly appear at the earliest, I would think, that can be arranged through her office.

I do know that of course there are private members' bills, but the one private member's bill that we dealt with was Bill C-304, I think, which is the housing bill proposed by the NDP, by Libby Davies. There were a number of amendments to that bill. My understanding is that those amendments may have to be either reintroduced or agreed to unanimously, so the subcommittee might discuss that. It would be good for us to know if there is agreement to bring the bill forward with the amendments, notwithstanding the prorogation. That's something the subcommittee may want to look at.

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Yes, certainly. My understanding is that there would actually have to be a motion brought forward in the committee so that we could reinstate that bill as it was prior to prorogation. I imagine that would be some of the discussion the steering committee would also have.

Are we okay? Good. Then the meeting is adjourned....

Mr. Cannan.

[Ron Cannan, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

I was just going to say that we have a great improvement in our new chair. This was an efficient meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Oh, I think you're speaking a little early.

The meeting is adjourned.

Thank you, everyone.