Human Resources Committee on May 15th, 2007

[Monte Solberg, Conservative, Medicine Hat, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We'll suspend.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

If the members could come back to the table, we only have about 15 minutes, and there are bells.

There are two orders of business in particular that I would like to deal with today. The first one is the seventh report from the subcommittee, in which we'll deal with our agenda until the end of the year. The second one is Mr. Lessard's motion.

Those are two things that you need before you. If you take out the package, the last page deals with the subcommittee report we had this past week.

Yes, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, I suggest that we reverse the agenda, because we only have 10 minutes left. First, let us deal with the two motions. They are timely motions and the minister's answers allow us to decide what we want to do right now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I'll say it once again. There should be no discussion on the seventh report. It's what the subcommittee recommended. Let's get it passed and move right into motions. That would be my suggestion. There's no discussion on the subcommittee report.

Mr. Brown.

[Patrick Brown, Conservative, Barrie, ON]

Mr. Chairman, I only wanted to mention the suggestion that we have extra hours this week. I'd suggest everyone has really busy schedules as MPs. I think it's always best if we stick to the original hours allotted for the committee. I would throw that out there.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you.

I would say the only reason that we're looking at 9 to 12 is because if we are done clause-by-clause by noon, we will not meet on Thursday afternoon. It's to finish clause-by-clause.

We talked about going to clause-by-clause today, which obviously would have made no sense, and the subcommittee said it wasn't the case. I appreciate that. We've been trying to keep the hours to the limit.

If there's no other discussion, can we move to pass the subcommittee report?

Mr. Martin.

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

I only wanted to say that a reference to a study in the fall on the prosperity gap is missing in the April 24 report.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

It will be something else that we'll bring up after the motions.

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

All right.

Ms. Dhalla.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I'd like to move to pass this.

(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

The agenda is passed the way it is. It is only until the end of June. If there are going to be any other issues, we will have to meet again as a subcommittee.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Martin, we will be meeting as a subcommittee on Wednesday the 6th to discuss fall business before we do it. Thank you for moving forward on that.

Mr. Lessard, thank you for your patience. We'll go right to your motion.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I tabled two motions before this committee. The first motion is about the list of companies—

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Hold on. In order that everyone has the motions, they are the last two motions of the package that was handed out. We'll be dealing with motion 20 and motion 21. Is that correct?

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you.

Go ahead, now that everyone has it in front of them, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I tabled two motions that deal with the Summer Career Placement Program. By tabling these motions, I want the committee to be fully informed about the situation of this program. The program was changed based on statements made here, but not verified by any members of the committee other than the Conservatives.

Therefore, let me read out motion no. 20:

That the Department of Human Resources and Social Development provide the list of non-profit organizations and private companies that receive grants under the Canada Summer Jobs Program...

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

There's no need to go on.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

...by riding; and the amount allocated to each riding in Canada for 2007.

Mr. Chairman, do you want me to read out the second motion or should we first deal with this one?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I guess we're looking at motions 20 and 21. Is that correct?

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Yes, I can also read out motion 21, if you wish. We could deal with both motions at the same time because they are complementary. The first motion deals with the year 2006.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I would say that I think the minister indicated today he would be happy to provide the list when it becomes available.

Is there any discussion on this?

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

There are two years: 2007 and 2006.

Motion 21 reads as follows:

That the Department of Human Resources and Social Development provide the committee with: the list of private companies that receive grants and the amount of these grants under the 2006 Summer Career Placement Program, by riding.

Mr. Chairman, in this way, we will be able to receive the information that is given out, because allegedly, for instance, Wal-Mart, Rogers, Subway and other companies of this kind were awarded grants, and we find this amazing. I think that if that is the case, more should have been done than just changing the program. There may have been much permissiveness in some very specific ridings and perhaps this is what needed correction. We cannot discard the whole body just because of a sore foot.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much.

I have Ms. Dhalla, Ms. Yelich, and Mr. Lake.

Ms. Dhalla.