Ms. Mathyssen, would it be all right to deal with it in the fall?
Evidence of meeting #11 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aboriginal.
Evidence of meeting #11 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aboriginal.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
9:55 a.m.
NDP
9:55 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
9:55 a.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
As I indicated, it is very important. Our provincial counterparts are actually moving on it.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Can I ask the analyst, even though we're not in Ottawa over the summer--we are, for the most part, working in our ridings--to send us the information you gather on these issues over the summer so that we would have time to read up on it? Whether there are some issues pertaining to the existing bill on human trafficking, some of the financial issues in and around the income splitting that we're talking about, as well as the issue about the representation of women, we would like to have that information over the summer.
9:55 a.m.
A voice
Not yet.
9:55 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
I have some information to share. Here in Canada, we have an expert, Manon Tremblay, who works at the University of Ottawa. She is recognized worldwide for her research on women's role in government. In my estimation, she has the expertise to give us an overview of the situation. I think we should get in touch with her.
On the subject of human trafficking, a Quebec researcher, Yolande Geadah, has published several books in recent years. We absolutely should consult her, if we go ahead with the study.
10 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Madam Chair, could we agree on our agenda right here and now? We've all made our views known and indicated how we'd like to proceed. Can we be frank and say what we really want in terms of a timetable, sittings and witnesses? We've given you a list that we could review while we await the minister's arrival. Who would we like to hear from? How many meetings would we like to devote to examining the problem of human trafficking and the economic situation of women? Can we do that?
10 a.m.
Julie Cool Committee Researcher
Committee members have submitted a list of suggested witnesses. Of course, it could be more complete and present different viewpoints from all parts of the country.
I could draw up a more complete list for the committee for distribution at our first meetings. I could also include a more detailed list of study options for committee members.
10 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Would we begin by examining the problem of human trafficking? Is that what we're deciding now?
10 a.m.
Committee Researcher
As I understand it, there are two themes to discuss: economic security and human trafficking.
10 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
I specifically want to know if we will begin by addressing the problem of human trafficking.
10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I think it's the committee's decision. Do you want to do the first four weeks on the issue of violence against women or economic security?
10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It's the will of the committee which one they would like to focus on.
Sometimes it's a question of getting the witnesses we need for these, which is why it's best to leave it up to the analyst and the clerk as they're putting together their witness list. If we can't get the appropriate people we want in on human trafficking, but we can on the other issues, then we should have the flexibility of doing either one.
10 a.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
In this last session we carried two or three topics. We already started on economic security with the witness from the welfare council that day, so we've actually started that study. We also did a couple of other things. So why can we not start off with economic security, which is a big piece, the research and stuff, and then the second meeting go into the trafficking and see what we have by that time, see how much work needs to be done to give direction, and go back to doing that? I don't see why we can't carry...because economic security is the biggest piece, at the end. I would like us to finish it before we leave for Christmas, because at the end of the day, if we do not address the core issues of why women are vulnerable, then we have a problem.
10 a.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Might I ask that “The War Against Women”, 1991, be circulated. It covers so much of this, and it's an excellent document.
10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I think we have enough to be able to move forward in a fairly flexible way.
10 a.m.
Conservative
