Evidence of meeting #57 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 care.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Carole Presseault  Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada
Louise Nesterenko  Fellow Certified General Accountant, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada

4:20 p.m.

Fellow Certified General Accountant, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada

Louise Nesterenko

Okay.

In summary, the message I would like to leave is that we need to work on our vision for EI, which includes opting in not just for maternity. I get so tired of hearing just “maternity”. I want maternity, I want paternity, and I want compassionate care benefits.

The next thing I would like us to do under EI is look at employed relatives and see whether we can't change that, which means the government needs to revisit the consistency of employing relatives.

The second message or vision I would like us to look at is CPP, concerning which I already promised that I would get back to you on how to deal with married women.

The third one is training. It's very important that we train our youth and bring them up through centres of excellence, and if it has to be through employers, I'd really like to see tax incentives to help employers further the education of women.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Thank you.

4:20 p.m.

Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada

Carole Presseault

I would like to thank you for your time this afternoon and wish you best of luck and safe travels as you undertake the writing of your report. Thank you for having us.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Thank you very much. Thank you both for being here at such short notice and giving us a really different perspective. We're looking forward to your little diagram.

I have to go in camera. You can ask them a question privately.

4:20 p.m.

Bloc

Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

I would just like to make a comment Ms. Nesterenko may yet get what she is hoping for with regard to employment insurance. A bill including both of your recommendations is currently on this Parliament's legislative agenda. We are just waiting for the government's response. If it assents, the bill will provide for an optional plan for self-employed workers and small businesses. We are also asking for the removal of the arm's-length family relationship clause.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

We will be going in camera, so if you are not part of this group you will have to leave.

[Proceedings continue in camera]