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.
10:55 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Mr. Chair, I think then that we should vote not to extend, to undo our vote.
10:55 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
That's a good point. In fairness, we didn't know that at the time. I would entertain a motion to end at 11 p.m. or when we're done with clauses 19 and 20.
Is that okay with everybody?
10:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
10:55 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Okay. Thank you for bringing that to our attention.
Also, I just wanted to mention to Ms. Hardcastle that if CPC-19 is carried...yours is identical, so you may want to speak to this one now. If this is approved, yours will not be brought to the table. They're identical.
Does it make sense?
10:55 p.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
If it's approved, I'm going to miss out on my opportunity to speak on it. Is that what you're saying?
10:55 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
You can speak on it now, because they're identical. That is what I'm saying.
10:55 p.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Okay, thanks.
It seems to be counterintuitive to the spirit, intent and purpose of this historical legislation to charge a fee for any accessibility standard that it develops or revises and for any information, product or service that it provides under this act.
10:55 p.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Thank you, Ms. Hardcastle.
Is there any further discussion on CPC-19?
Go ahead, Mr. Ruimy. Sorry.
10:55 p.m.
Liberal
10:55 p.m.
An hon. member
Not me, Dan.
10:55 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
I'd like to ask the good folks on the other end to actually go into why CASDO would be charging a fee. Could you explain that a little bit more for us, please?
10:55 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair.
This provision would allow CASDO to charge fees for its efforts. There will be limited resources in terms of standards development. Another organization, whether it be a province, territory or municipality or whether it be from the private sector, could ask CASDO to take on extra standards development work, and they would be able to charge back to that organization for that work.
11 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
This is specifically to organizations that will come to CASDO and say, “Hey, can you develop this policy for us?” or ”Can you develop a standard for us?” In essence, it's contracting out its services.
11 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
It would be above and beyond its regular workload.
11 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Okay. It's above and beyond its regular workload. Thank you.
11 p.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Thank you, Mr. Chair. If there's a way to make that distinction in the legislation....
We heard from many of the witnesses that many people who have disabilities live in poverty or have very limited income. If there is somebody who has disability who wants to access this, this would be a barrier preventing them from accessing it, because who's to say they have extra money lying around to pay for paper?
11 p.m.
South Surrey—White Rock, Lib.
As I heard the explanation, nobody with a disability would be approaching this; these are done through organizations. Is that correct, Mr. Van Raalte?
11 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
I'm just going to take a moment to consult, if I may, Mr. Chair.
11 p.m.
Director General, Accessibility Secretariat, Department of Employment and Social Development
I apologize for the delay, Mr. Chair. I just needed to confirm, and I would direct the committee's attention to “Other powers”, clause 20. It says this work can be done for:
any person or entity, including any government in Canada or elsewhere.
The point I would make is that once the standard is adopted into regulation, then it is a free good and it's made public to anybody who may need or want to use it.