If I could take the floor for a minute, given that we just went through routine proceedings, I'd like to read a motion into the record. Obviously we can't vote on it today, but I would like to put this motion on the table formally. I move “That the Committee conduct a study of the impact of recent reforms to the employment insurance program and to employment insurance appeals; that the study include an examination of the current low rates of access to EI and their causes; that the Committee receives witnesses for five sessions; and that the government provides an answer to these recommendations.”

I bring it forward here today given that we're reaching crisis proportions in Canadians' access to employment insurance across our country. This is the committee tasked with looking at EI. I'd certainly like us to consider this seriously in our next meeting.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Thank you very much.

Monsieur Deltell.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Is there any translation here?

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

There is.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

I mean, it's okay for me, but I just wanted to check.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

They're doing a fantastic job behind us here.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

I pay all my respects to the interpreters. I know that sometimes I speak a little bit too fast, or sometimes I hit the wall or the desk and all that stuff.

Mr. Chair, this is what I would propose.

We Are the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. It's a very hot topic and, above all, a very compelling one that requires serious examination.

We applaud the government for taking the initiative of publishing the ministerial mandate letters. Right off the bat, the committee should hear from the minister responsible for the file under our oversight, in other words, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, so that she can make a presentation to the committee and answer questions regarding her mandate and objectives as they directly relate to our committee's work. I would just like to repeat that we believe the government's decision to publicly disclose the ministerial mandate letters was a good idea.

Technically speaking, Mr. Chair, must I propose a motion to that effect? I can, if you'd like.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Yes, we can take it as a motion.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

What I am proposing is this: That the committee invite the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, to appear so that she can present her ministerial mandate letter, as well as the objectives of her department, to the committee.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

MP Long.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but let's not forget that we also have two other ministers involved in this committee, Minister Qualtrough and Minister Duclos. I think the suggestion should be that, if the committee so chooses, we have all the ministers come and chat with us about their mandates.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

MP Warawa.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

Thank you.

I agree with MP Long that we do have three ministers and that we should hear from the three ministers. The reality is that the committee is its own creation. We can decide what we want to study. But really, to be constructive and helpful in this Parliament, it would be nice to know what the priorities of the government are and what they would like us to work on. Then it's up to us as a committee to decide whether we want to do studies in that venue.

I think to begin, we should hear from the ministers on what their mandate is and what they would like us to focus on as a committee. Then we work constructively together.

I'm hopeful that Monsieur Deltell will expand his motion to have all three ministers invited.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Mr. Chair, I'd like to say also that we should have them in one at a time.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

Yes.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

MP Robillard.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

I have just a little point here.

In French, we use the word “convoque”.

You cannot convoquer a minister. You can ask him to be there.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

We can invite him.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

That's fine. What matters is that she appear before the committee.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

Yes, I understand.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

We'll choose the verb carefully.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

Let's be frank. In French, the word “convoquer” means to “summon”. But it's not quite that. We aren't supposed to do that. We can ask her to appear.