Evidence of meeting #124 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 clause.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Once again, Mr. Chair, we have an opportunity where, if applicable, the bargaining agent of employees is included in the preparation of the accessibility plan.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Mr. Chair, again, this one is consequential to amendments LIB-14, LIB-21 and LIB-25.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 56 as amended agreed to)
(Clause 57 agreed to)
(On clause 58)
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Chair, as you've noted, there are many clauses of this bill that need to be amended to recognize that many affected people will be public workers with collective agreements. It is important that their rights not be undermined, and it is important that we work in synchronicity in this foundational legislation.
Once again, this amendment is an example of areas where the bargaining agents of employees are included in the preparation of a progress report.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 58 agreed to)
(On clause 59)
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Again, we have three amendments proposed: LIB-32, LIB-33 and CPC-36. If LIB-32 and/or LIB-33 are adopted, CPC-36 cannot be moved due to consistency.
We will start with LIB-32 as put forward by Mr. Long.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Mr. Chair, again, this is consequential to LIB-17, LIB-22 and LIB-28, previously discussed.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
On this side of the table, we have spoken several times about exemptions and how we feel. That's all I'm going to say.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Once again, this is regarding publication of rationales for exemptions and are amendments consequential to LIB-18, LIB-23 and LIB-29.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Is there any further discussion on LIB-33? Seeing none, I will call the vote.
Ms. Falk?
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Go ahead.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
I will now ask if there are any discussion on clause 59 as amended.
Ms. Falk.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Chair, thank you for assuming what I was going to do.
We believe that clause 59 of Bill C-81 should be voted down. Again, this bill allows for regulated entities to be exempted from complying with accessibility requirements. There is no principled reason why some organizations should be exempted. Any exemptions will weaken the overall purpose of this act.
Again, we do not agree with exemptions. There shouldn't be any in this act.
I would also request a recorded vote, please.
(Clause 59 as amended agreed to: yeas 5; nays 3)
(On clause 60)
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Chair, this amendment serves to bring this in line with amendments from the Liberal side: LIB-5, LIB-6, LIB-13, LIB-19, LIB-24 and LIB-30.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Edmonton Griesbach, CPC
Mr. Chair, we feel that clause 60 should be amended by adding after line 31 on page 29 the following:
The accessibility plan must include a statement on how it will contribute to the realization of a Canada without barriers.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
I feel like a broken record, but again, just to reiterate, these changes would strengthen the effectiveness of accessibility plans, which I'm sure we all believe is important and would help ensure that proper barrier identification is done, which I'm sure we all agree with. Also, the prevention and removal address issues of intersectionality and poverty, which I would assume—but I don't want to assume—we would all agree with.
Thank you.
(Amendment negatived)
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Chair, similar to our concerns about exemption with the CRTC, the Canadian Transportation Agency should not be the one that is notified by a regulated entity in terms of the publication and update of its accessibility plan. It should be the accessibility commissioner.