Evidence of meeting #24 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
A video is available from Parliament.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Thank you.
How much time do I have left?
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Minister, Canada's labour program has a very important role in contributing to Canada's overall economic prosperity as well as the well-being of all Canadians.
What is it about federally regulated industries that make them so crucial to the Canadian economy and the well-being of Canadians?
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I think the one thing we all have to keep top of mind, when it comes to the well-being of Canadians, is that part II of the Canada Labour Code focuses on health and safety. Part II of the Canada Labour Code moves forward in making sure that Canadians go to work safe and healthy and return home the same.
One thing announced in economic action plan 2014 is that the labour program is supporting the government's efforts to align and implement a common classification for labelling workplace hazardous chemicals. This is something that I think is extremely important to making sure that Canadians are safe in the workplace and that we are also facilitating our trade opportunities with individuals in other countries, coming into line with norms that other countries have so that we can facilitate trade.
It's a win-win. We're increasing prosperity by making sure we have excellent trade relationships, and we're also making sure that Canadians are safe in the work site from hazardous chemicals or goods.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
This is the last question, Minister.
In both of our backgrounds, mine as an educator and yours as a pediatric physician, we've dealt over time with families who have experienced critically ill children. I know this is near and dear to both of our hearts.
Can you elaborate a bit on the impact that the changes we have made to support parents of critically ill children is going to have on Canada?
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
This is something that I think this committee has looked at before, in Bill C-44. I know that many of you were on the committee at that time.
From a personal perspective, I think this is extremely important legislation. Those of you who have children or those of you who deal with children know that making sure a parent is with them at a time of need is exceptionally important. I can't really describe to you how important it is to the child, albeit I've seen many times in an intensive care unit what the difference is in their well-being and recovery when their parent is there.
To take the economic burden, the issue of concern for a parent, off their shoulders so that they can focus on what is the most important asset they have—their child—at a time of great stress is, I think, extremely important. The things that we can do—and I'm delighted to say that all members of the House supported this legislation, both the government as well as the opposition parties—have created a phenomenon whereby I think Canadian parents are well supported in one of those most critical times in life.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
May 15th, 2014 / 9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
It's great to see the minister here today, and the officials. Thanks very much.
I want to dovetail off a line of questioning that Ms. Sims had with regard to the change in the definition of “danger”. You alluded that it bubbled up from the front-line officers.
Would you have been made aware of the need to change the definition when you first took over the ministry? When do you remember first dealing with the issue of the change?
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I'm trying to think. To be frank with you, I don't know a date off the top of my head.
What I can tell you is that a budget—
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I'm happy to ask them to.
What I can tell you is that this was done in budget confidence. I was not a minister at the time it was considered. Also, even as a minister I'm not privy to what was placed in the budget, so I'll ask the deputy if she has a comment as to that point.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
No, I only have the seven minutes.
Would it have been long enough ago that you would have been able to run this by the regulatory review committee, or the committee that your predecessor Minister Raitt put together, the Advisory Council on Workplace and Labour Affairs. Would it have been run through those two?
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
With respect to the advisory council that I have, it had not been established by that time. It is at ministerial discretion, so it had never come to that body because that body had not met.
I'll let the deputy comment on your other question.
9:10 a.m.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Department of Employment and Social Development
With respect to the regulatory review committee, we will be discussing with them—
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
9:10 a.m.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Department of Employment and Social Development
Not to my knowledge.
We normally discuss regulations and regulatory changes with that committee.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Is that where we are now? We're going to make changes to labour in this country through the budget process—
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Phil McColeman
The minister is intervening here.
If you could let Madam Gosselin finish her comment, that would be appreciated.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
The question was whether it was brought before the advisory committee before the change, and I think that answer was no, so I got that answer.
9:10 a.m.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Department of Employment and Social Development
I wanted to clarify that you mentioned the regulatory affairs committee. We discuss changes to regulations at that committee. We will be proceeding with changes to regulations, and we'll be discussing those with the committee.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
I contend that the answer was “no”, prior to the change in the definition, that this was done within the budget. I'm not sure what degree of good that has for labour relations in this country, when it's outside of the department and it's done within the finance department.
Minister, if I could, the tripartite consensus process is one that has served labour well in this country. Do you believe in the process?
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Since becoming the Minister of Labour, I've met with stakeholders, whether they be union or non-unionized employees, employers, and individuals who would be directly impacted by federally regulated companies, on literally hundreds of occasions. I think it's extremely important to have the views of Canadians represented. Whether it is meeting almost weekly with Jerry Dias, speaking weekly with Hassan Yussuff, making sure that the steelworkers in the country are well heard, and speaking with Ken, I think these are very important items. I will continue to consult with employers and employees.
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Specifically, the tripartite consensus process is a process that has served labour—