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.
9:40 p.m.
Conservative
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Because it's your amendment, Ms. Hardcastle, you can't make the amendment unless we have unanimous consent to do that.
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
It won't be an amendment to the amendment. Your amendment will now be “shall” instead of “must”. We will be doing one vote on that.
Mr. Nuttall.
9:40 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
I think she has moved the motion with the word “shall”. Is that what's happened?
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Right, but before we do that, we have to have unanimous consent to allow it to happen.
Do we have unanimous consent for Ms. Hardcastle to change the word in her amendment from “must” to “shall”?
Go ahead, Ms. Falk.
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
I'm sorry. I thought you had a comment.
I need unanimous consent for that to happen. No?
9:40 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
We've already heard the reason that “shall” should not be used. That's why I thought you were overruling that.
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
We are dealing with NDP-2.2, with the word “must” as part of the amendment. Is there any further discussion?
Go ahead, Mr. Nuttall.
9:40 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Could I ask a question to Mr. Van Raalte?
In terms of timelines, obviously the broader picture wasn't put into the bill. We've heard part of the explanation about that.
Is your staff open to any timelines that would provide accountability?
9:40 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
Mr. Chair, I think that's a question better addressed to the minister. That's a political question—
9:40 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
The public service loyally implements.
9:40 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Mr. Van Raalte, is it your recommendation that there be timelines within the bill that provide an opportunity to understand how successful the private sector and public sector are being in achieving a barrier-free Canada?
9:40 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
Again, Mr. Chair, the role of the public service.... We have provided our advice to the minister and we will loyally implement.
9:40 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Mr. Van Raalte, is it your recommendation, or has it been recommended by you and your staff, that there be timelines attached to the goals that this bill is trying to achieve?
9:40 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Mr. Chair, on a point of order, he's asked the same question, and they've answered. He's asking it a third time. I don't understand why we keep asking the same question and getting the same answer.
9:40 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Thanks, Mr. Ruimy.
I'll let Mr. Van Raalte answer, and then we'll go to Mr. Sangha.
9:45 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
With respect, Mr. Chair, the advice that has been provided is a cabinet confidence.
November 7th, 2018 / 9:45 p.m.
Liberal
Ramesh Sangha Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, this is not the stage to ask questions. I think we are just delaying everything. We should be deciding whether amendments should be allowed or not, but not all these questions and then debating and delaying things. If we have to move forward, then we have to move forward with the facts, whether we are ready to accept them or not.
9:45 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Mr. Sangha, to your question, the department officials are here specifically to answer questions from the committee members. That is what they are here for. If committee members have questions of the department on the amendments, they are more than welcome to ask those questions.
