Government Operations Committee on Oct. 3rd, 2017

Evidence of meeting #98 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was media.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Changes to the Government of Canada’s Communications Policy Pertaining to Government Advertising

Bill C-24

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Duff Jamison Chairman, Government Affairs, Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association

Thomas Saras President and Chief Executive Officer, National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada

Matthew Holmes President and Chief Executive Officer, Magazines Canada

John Hinds President and Chief Executive Officer, News Media Canada

Dennis Merrell Executive Director, Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association

Margot Young Professor, Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, As an Individual

12:55 p.m.

Prof. Margot Young

I have two responses to make to that. One is that the broader context into which that press release is released definitely makes a link to gender equality by the use of the term “equalize”. I guess, as well—

October 3rd, 2017 / 12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON

I disagree with you.

12:55 p.m.

Prof. Margot Young

I have one more point. I think it's really important that issues about gender equity come up in the context of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, but I also think that they are not confined to that. That doesn't speak to your claim that this bill really has no profile around gender equity, but it is not inappropriate to talk about it in the context of this committee. That's part of gender mainstreaming, to which your government is committed—that any legislative changes be gender-accountable.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Bringing it to one tier does not mean.... If the Minister of Science were a man, would it mean that it brings gender equality? This bill has nothing.... In fact, I am looking at the press release on Bill C-24, and there is absolutely no mention of gender equality in that. Let's not be disingenuous and try to say that this has anything to do with gender equality because it is bringing all ministers to a level playing field. There is no junior minister anymore. Whether you are Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.... This is Minister Hehr, who is a male. Are we making him gender-equal?

I think we are off topic and there has been a confusion about somebody bringing a witness focusing on gender equality, when we are not dealing with gender equality in the Salaries Act.

Thank you.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

With that, colleagues, it is time to conclude by thanking our witness for being here.

We appreciate your time very much. Should you have any other observations or suggestions that you wish to bring to the attention of this committee, we would encourage you to please submit anything that you have to the clerk of this committee.

12:55 p.m.

Prof. Margot Young

Thank you.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

Once again, thank you for taking the time. We appreciate your appearance.

Colleagues, we are adjourned.