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.
8:45 a.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
If not, I'll call the vote.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Ms. Hardcastle, on NDP-12.
8:45 a.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I saw that this was not recognized throughout. As we heard from testimony and specifically from PSAC, sometimes what's happening with the public sector employees is that there are already collective agreements in place with a process. We need to include that in the legislation. It has to be recognized that there is a framework in place under collective agreements for most of these employees that creates a synergy.
When you include them, it does create that synergy. If you don't include them, it becomes conflict and confusion, and we don't need that when we have a new piece of legislation and new offices. It's better to be clear and articulate that collective agreements are part of the process; they're not separate.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 44 agreed to)
(On clause 45)
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Mr. Chair, this change is for clarity. The amendment ensures the bill is consistent and clear in the language it uses, particularly in granting regulation-making authority, regarding publication of feedback processes to the different regulators under this act.
8:45 a.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
They shouldn't be making any regulation. It should be the accessibility commissioner who does that. That's why this has to be articulated in legislation.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Currently, there is no regulation-making authority set out in Bill C-81 regarding requirements for feedback processes. This amendment will ensure regulators are granted the authority to make regulations in relation to feedback processes.(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Mr. Chair, this is about timelines. This amendment will address stakeholder concerns about the delayed regulations, by creating an obligation for all bodies with regulation-making authority under this act to have their first regulations under the act within two years of the act coming into force.
We think the amendment makes the bill stronger and gives—
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
—there's going to be one for each.
We think this gives the bill a little more teeth for timely implementation.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 45 as amended agreed to)
(On clause 46)
8:50 a.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I believe that clause 46 must be omitted from the bill. My understanding in the procedure is that I could not put that in the form of an amendment, so I have to make that statement now. I hope I'm correct in this process now.
Clause 46 must be omitted from the bill. This clause permits the minister, the CRTC, or the CTA to exempt organizations from complying with requirements to prepare and publish accessibility plans, create feedback processes and develop progress reports.
For all of the stakeholders who have testified and given us their input and from consultation across the country, that speaks for itself.
I'd like that exempt please.
8:50 a.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Ms. Hardcastle, you'll have your opportunity to make that vote when we vote on that clause.
8:50 a.m.
The Vice-Chair Mr. John Barlow
Now, if LIB-17 is adopted, it will make CPC-31 unable to be moved because of consistency.
Mr. Long.
8:50 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
We want to put a three-year limit on exemptions.
This amendment recognizes that accessibility solutions evolve over time. It also prevents entities from slipping through the cracks, thereby ensuring that everyone does their part to achieve an accessible Canada. Exemptions can't be unlimited, so that's why we want to move this one forward.
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
From what I understand, if LIB-17 is passed it will cancel out—
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Okay.
If the bill allows for regulated entities to be exempted from complying with accessibility requirements and if exemptions are to be granted, the reasons should be made public and they should be time-limited.