Human Resources Committee on April 17th, 2007

Evidence of meeting #67 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sin.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Auditor General of Canada's February 2007 Status Report, Chapter 6: The Management of the Social Insurance Number
Committee Business

MPs speaking

Dean Allison
Ruby Dhalla
Yves Lessard
Tony Martin
Lynne Yelich
Patrick Brown
Michael Savage
Michael Chong
Gary Merasty
Mike Lake
France Bonsant

Also speaking

Sheila Fraser  Auditor General of Canada, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Peter Simeoni  Assistant Deputy Minister, Integrity Services Branch, Service Canada, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
Jim Alexander  Deputy Chief Information Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Onno Kremers  Director General, Identity Management Services, Service Canada, Department of Human Resources and Social Development

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB

Based on how much it gets talked about in the House, I want to say that this is obviously an issue that's really, really important. It's an important issue in each of our ridings. There are strong feelings on all sides and many, many different viewpoints. I know that in my riding it's a very significant issue.

I take a bit of contention with Mr. Lessard's characterization of everybody coming to testify willy-nilly. There are a significant number of parents in this country who unfortunately do not have a large organized lobby funded by the former Liberal government. They may want to testify. They have a viewpoint that needs to be heard. I think it's important that they have their views heard.

This is not a mad rush. We gave many days to Bill C-257. Obviously I'm not looking to have a situation where we sit for as long as we did on Bill C-257; we have other things we need to consider. But this is really important for people on both sides of the issue. It is something that Canadians are very passionate about, and we need to give this a proper hearing.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Thank you, Mr. Lake.

I have one final comment from Ms. Yelich.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK

I took a little offence to those comments as well.

I want to make one comment. We have to have a room in the Centre Block for these meetings. It is pure hell--don't shake your head, please, Ms. Clerk--and it is really difficult.... It's very intense. When we come it's very busy. It's probably the most intense committee that is sitting right now. Can we find something else? You know, it's the proximity--location, location, location.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

It would give us a chance to try to improve our ratings, right?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK

Is there any Senate room? They're not doing anything, are they?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

That's not on the record, is it?

Having no more discussion, we will meet again on Tuesday. We will see the subcommittee on Thursday morning.

With that, I call the meeting adjourned.