I am very pleased to be part of this committee study. At the same time, the more we hear from witnesses—we are just starting the study, of course—the clearer it seems to me that the committee has to avoid falling into a trap. The trap lies in the fact that the federal government does not provide services directly to our fellow citizens, with the possible exception of people with disabilities in sheltered work situations. The federal government plays its role more through the tax system. We could mention the Canada Child Tax Benefit or the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Measures like those go directly through the tax system. The government does not play a direct role in health and education.
However, there are two things that the federal government could do directly, and I would like to know your opinion on them. First, there is the whole question of discrimination. Is it not time to add social condition—as this committee could recommend—as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act? You may know that eight provinces have already prohibited it in their legislation. Some people think that it would allow legislation on reservations to be challenged, for example, or maybe the Liberals' bill to increase the number of hours required to qualify for Employment Insurance.
So I would like to hear your views on the matter of discrimination. Would you join me in pressing this government to include social condition as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act?