Evidence of meeting #123 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was discussion.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:10 p.m.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
The amendment I'm putting forward deals with the fact that as a result of the way the bill is currently drafted, there's a possibility that the Governor in Council doesn't appoint a minister responsible for this future act. In point of fact, you can't have legislation that requires the Governor in Council, that being the cabinet, to do anything.
There's the expectation that a cabinet would appoint someone to be the minister responsible for this legislation for a barrier-free Canada, but nothing requires that there be a minister responsible. If cabinet, through some unusual fluke, did not appoint a minister, then my amendment, which right now appears in the definition section, is to achieve a backstop, so that there would always be a minister responsible if cabinet hadn't acted to appoint one.
8:10 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Thank you, Ms. May.
Is there any further discussion?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
8:10 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
We will move on to the vote on clause 2. We just went through clause 2 and made some amendments. We have made two amendments to clause 2. We are now voting on clause 2 as amended.
(Clause 2 as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We are now moving on to clause 3. There were no amendments tabled on clause 3.
(Clauses 3 and 4 agreed to)
We're almost there. My count is 237 clauses.
(On clause 5)
We now move on to clause 5 and amendment LIB-4.
Go ahead, Mr. Morrissey.
8:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
This amendment, Mr. Chair, removes the word “progressive” from the clause. This is in response to stakeholder concerns that the use of “progressive” may lead to delayed implementation. This amendment makes clear a commitment to the goal of seeing a barrier-free Canada.
8:15 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Is there any discussion on LIB-4?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We now move on to CPC-3. Is there any discussion on CPC-3?
8:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
We're proposing that clause 5 be amended by replacing line 11 on page 3 with the following:
realization over a ten-year period, within the purview of matters coming within
The reason we're suggesting this change is that we must include a specific year or period of time by which a Canada without barriers will be achieved, so it's 10 years after coming into force.
November 7th, 2018 / 8:15 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Thank you.
Further to Ms. Falk's comment, one of the things we saw in the bill was an overall lack of teeth in timelines and in reporting back. I think this amendment is speaking to that very subject. I certainly would like to see it included.
8:15 p.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Just to note, Mr. Chair, that's also my amendment, the next one, if that matters to any of you.
8:15 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Take that as you will.
Is there any further discussion on CPC-3?
8:15 p.m.
Conservative
8:15 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Okay, we'll have a recorded vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 3)
8:15 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
As a result of the previous vote, NDP-1 cannot be moved as it's identical to the previous amendment. That will be the same with CPC-4.
We now move to CPC-4.
8:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
The amendment reads:
That Bill C-81, in Clause 5, be amended by adding after line 18 on page 3 the following:
(c.1) communication
We believe it's essential to identify, remove and prevent barriers related to communication. The bill must be clarified to ensure that communication is addressed within each of the areas enumerated in clause 5 in a manner that complements existing legal obligations to accommodate persons with disabilities.
8:20 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Thank you.
I want to be clear on CPC-4. If it is adopted, LIB-5 cannot be moved, for reasons of consistency.
Is there any further discussion on CPC-4?
(Amendment negatived)
We now move to LIB-5. If LIB-5 is adopted, CPC-5 cannot be moved because of a line conflict.
Is there any discussion on LIB-5?
Go ahead, Mr. Morrissey.
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Chair, many members of the disability community came to the committee and identified accessibility and communication as a priority for their community. These amendments will strengthen the bill in those areas and deal with the concerns that were addressed to this committee during the testimony stage.
8:20 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Thank you, Mr. Morrissey.
Is there any further discussion on LIB-5?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We adopted LIB-5, so CPC-5 cannot be moved; therefore, we are finished with clause 5.
(Clause 5 as amended agreed to)
We now move on to LIB-6.
Is there any discussion, Mr. Morrissey?
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Chair, this motion clarifies that communications does not include broadcasting or telecommunications.
8:20 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Is there any further discussion?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(On clause 6)
We will move on to LIB-7. If LIB-7 is adopted, NDP-0.2, LIB-8 and PV-2 cannot be moved, because there is a line conflict.
Is there any discussion on LIB-7?
Go ahead, Mr. Long.
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Thank you, and thank you for stepping in tonight, Mr. Chair, on behalf of MP May.
Through amendment LIB-7, we would like to remove all reference to “abilities” within clause 6. I can read that if you like.
8:20 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Does anybody need that read, or have you already read the amendment?