Finance Committee on May 7th, 2013

[Brian McCauley]

The form is readily available on the website and on paper. Probably the easiest test is to try it yourself, or ask others to try it. Again, as mentioned by Gail and others, we've made a number of revisions to it. If more can be done legally, including making it fillable, savable, things like that, certainly I'll take those suggestions on board, by all means.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you, Ms. McLeod.

A brief round, Mr. Brison, please.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Thank you very much.

Mr. McCauley, you have no difficulty filling out the form. Do you have a disability?

[Brian McCauley]

Yes.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Have you focus grouped with other people about this, a group of people with disabilities, to simplify the form?

[Brian McCauley]

Yes. As I mentioned, there was a survey—I forget whether it was 2003 or 2007—with the CMA, whereby we surveyed about 12,000. There was a review a number of years ago. But, yes, and as I say, there will be an opportunity. The bill requires us to do consultations across the country, and I'm sure we'll take advantage of that to listen to individuals as well.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Dr. Beck.

[Dr. Gail Beck]

The survey predated the committee that was struck in 2003, so that gives you an idea of the last review, about 10 years ago.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Yes, okay.

Ms. Gallant, the definition of “promoter” in your legislation seems broad enough to include health care providers. Is there a way we can amend the bill to take health care providers out of it?

Dr. Beck, your organization has made a specific recommendation to do this. What would be the specific change?

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

During the consultative process, who is exempt and who is not will be defined and then put in the regulatory process.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Dr. Beck.

[Dr. Gail Beck]

We're in the midst of a legal review. In terms of that kind of technical change, we'd probably like to see how that was happening. As I said, I think this bill was meant to come a little later in the month, so we haven't finished the analysis.

Unfortunately, Mr. Brison, we'd have to look at what was being proposed. I'm sorry not to be more helpful.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay.

Mr. Brison, Mr. McCauley wanted to comment.

[Brian McCauley]

Very briefly, there is a specific provision in the bill vis-à-vis exemption, as Madam Gallant has mentioned. That was to give the minister flexibility to add or include groups or bodies or others who could be exempt, for example, doctors or people who were wrapping up estates. There are a couple of examples where we contemplated it. The ministers being able to designate that would be the purpose of the process. Rather than having it fixed in law and having it immovable, it gives a little flexibility to recognize realities.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay, briefly.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Could that process also be used to address the privacy concerns that have been raised at committee today?

[Brian McCauley]

The process, which is listening...we would listen to all suggestions.

I think the bill is largely neutral on a lot of the privacy concerns. I think there is a broader issue of privacy, which probably goes beyond this bill. I think we would want to make sure to see that the bill doesn't create any additional problems vis-à-vis privacy. Certainly, our reading of it at the moment wouldn't indicate that this would be the case.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay. Thank you.

I'm mindful of the time. We do have Ms. Glover's motion, and I know that colleagues do want to debate that.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I just have a point.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Very briefly.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

As you consult on this, there's such a range of disabilities. It's the process, the forms. I really hope the consultations include the broadest range of engagement with people with disabilities to ensure that no one gets left behind.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you. I'm sorry for cutting this off too soon, but the committee did have a very packed agenda today. We have a motion that we have to deal with before 10:45 a.m.

I want to address the calendar issue.

The committee did decide to move up the first hearing for this bill. We expect to deal with clause-by-clause either on May 30 or June 4. Please, for those listening as well, when the committee puts out an agenda, that calender is subject to change; it's not firmly set in stone. It depends on legislation coming forward, either government or private members bills.

All the information we have will be translated and presented to members. If anyone else watching or observing this hearing has any further information, please do submit that to us.

Ms. Cohen, you talked about some wording that you did. If you can submit that to the committee, I will ensure that all members get it. We will also distribute the amendments introduced by Ms. McLeod to all members of the committee.

Again, it's May 30 or June 4, but to all those observing this bill's process, please watch the calender for any further information.

Thank you all for being here with us.

Thank you, Ms. Gallant, for moving this bill.

Colleagues, we will thank our witnesses, excuse them, and we will go right into Ms. Glover's motion.

Ms. Glover, I will ask you to read your motion, please.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Always being respectful of witnesses who come before us, I did my best to ensure this was efficient and served notice of this motion 48 hours ago, as is required before moving it. Now I'd like to move the motion.

The motion reads as follows.

That, when and if, Bill C-60, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures is referred to the Committee:

( a) the Chair of the Standing Committee write, as promptly as possible, to the Chairs of the following Standing Committees inviting those Standing Committees to consider the subject-matter of the following provisions of the said Bill:

(i) the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, clauses 136 to 154,

(ii) the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, clauses 156 to 160,

(iii) the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, clauses 161 to 166,

(iv) the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, clauses 167 to 168 and clauses 170 to 172, and;

(v) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, clauses 174 to 199

(b) each of the Standing Committees listed in paragraph (a) be requested to convey recommendations, including any suggested amendments, in both official languages, in relation to the provisions considered by them, in a letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance, in both official languages no later than 9 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2013;

(c) the Chair of the Standing Committee shall also write to each Member of Parliament who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance, in both official languages, no later than 9 a.m. on Monday, May 27 2013, any amendments to the Bill which they would propose that the Committee consider;

(d) any amendments suggested pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) shall be deemed to be proposed during the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-60, and further provided that the Members of the Standing Committee on Finance may propose amendments notwithstanding the recommendations received pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c);

(e) the Committee shall proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-60 no later than Tuesday, May 28, 2013, provided that the Chair may limit debate on each clause to a maximum of five minutes per party, per clause;

(f) amendments to Bill C-60, other than the amendments deemed to be proposed pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c), be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee before 9 a.m. on Monday, May 27 and distributed to members in both official languages; and

(g) if the Committee has not completed the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-60 by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, all remaining amendments submitted to the Committee shall be deemed moved, the Chair shall put the question, forthwith and successively, without further debate on all remaining clauses and amendments submitted to the Committee, as well as each and every question necessary to dispose of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, as well as all questions necessary to report the Bill to the House and to order the Chair to report the Bill to the House as early as possible.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you, Ms. Glover.

Any discussion on this motion?

Ms. Nash, and then Mr. Brison.