Human Resources Committee on Feb. 26th, 2019

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

We do not.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee is considering the subject matter of the supplementary estimates (B), 2018-19, votes 1b, 5b, and 10b under the Department of Employment and Social Development.

Appearing before the committee are the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour; the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Accessibility; and the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors.

Appearing as witnesses, we have officials alongside the ministers. For the sake of time, I'll introduce them as they are called upon.

Each minister will have no more than five minutes for their opening remarks. I will put up one finger at the one-minute mark and we'll go from there.

First, we have Minister Hajdu. The next five minutes are all yours.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the committee members for all the hard work you do, debating and talking about skills development, in the case of my file.

I'm here today to talk about how our government is working so hard to make sure that Canadians have a fair chance at success. A big part of that is making sure that people have access to skills training and supports to not only find good-quality jobs but keep them.

There are three key approaches that we've been taking to really accelerate skills training in this country.

First, we are making sure that workers who are currently employed have access to good-quality job training. We know there's a lot of potential for people if they can get access to increased job training, even if they're currently employed.

Second, we are certainly keeping our eye on youth unemployment and employment by making sure that young people have better job opportunities—again, not just a job, but a quality job.

Third, we are making post-secondary education more affordable, regardless of whether we're talking about colleges or universities. It's really important that people can afford to go to school, and it's a big part of that fair chance to succeed.

Our focus for the past three years has been on programs like the Canada summer jobs program, the youth employment strategy, the Canada service corps and the Canada student loans program. It's about making sure that everybody sees themselves as having a fair chance and opportunity to succeed.

The Canada summer jobs program is a big part of the youth employment strategy. Many of you around the table will know that our government doubled Canada summer jobs, because it was such a critical aspect of a young person's opportunity to gain new skills and valuable job experiences that could land them in possibly the next job, or help them to explore career potential. This program has always been about giving young people good-quality job opportunities and the experience they need to succeed in the job market.

Over the past year, we made some changes. We consulted with stakeholders and made several changes to the program, with a focus to make this program more accessible to more young people, easier to apply for employers, and with a focus on quality jobs. This is going to be a key change this year. You'll see young people from across the country, regardless of their studies or status, be able to apply for Canada summer jobs. This is fundamentally about fairness. I'm very excited about that. In fact, employers will be required to show demonstrably how they're going to mentor and support those young persons to develop those skills.

We know that the Harper Conservatives had the worst youth unemployment rate since the 1990s. It soared to 16% in July 2009. Yet, instead of helping young people succeed, they chose to cut $20 million from the youth employment strategy. Instead, we chose to invest in young people. We chose to invest in skills training and to take a chance on people who often felt like they were left behind.

The plan is working. The youth unemployment rate is currently down to 11.2%. While we know that there is still more work to do, we're seeing positive change. Part of the success is our commitment to provide 70,000 young people with valuable work experience through the Canada summer jobs program.

Under the previous government, this program was constantly on the chopping block. In fact, in the last year of that government, this program created only 35,000 jobs.

So, as part of our significant expansion, we're requesting authority to include $3.4 million in vote 1, to ensure that quality experiences for youth are available across the country, so that they gain the skills and work experience they need to succeed in our workforce.

The additional funding will support the processing of the high volume of applications we're receiving to deliver those quality work placements. I stressed that earlier. This is really about making sure that those jobs are quality jobs. I believe every young person in this country deserves to work in a safe place where they have mentorship, leadership and an opportunity to develop their skills.

Another important part of preparing young people for the workforce is ensuring that all Canadians have the skills and training they need to succeed. We know that finances can often be the make-or-break decision to get young people into their post-secondary education. That's why we've made important changes to student financial assistance. We've increased the Canada student grants by 50%. We've increased support for part-time students and students with children. We've increased support for adult learners. We've changed the repayment assistance program, so that student loan borrowers are not required to make payments until they're earning at least $25,000.

As a result of our investments, most students are able to now repay their student loans. The write-off amount now represents less than 1% of the student loan portfolio. Our department is requesting a write-off for debts owed to the Crown for the unrecoverable Canada student loans in the amount of $163 million. In those cases, we've exhausted options to recover the debt. Once six years elapse without payment or acknowledgement of the debt, it's very difficult to recover it. There are many reasons for these write-offs: bankruptcies, small balances, extreme financial hardship and compromise settlements.

We're going to continue to work to make sure that education is affordable and that people have opportunities once they graduate, with either debt relief or opportunities for better placements through the student work placement program, so that we continue to see a downward tracking of debt that's not recoverable.

Lastly, these supplementary estimates (B) also include adjustments to current-year funding and to non-budgetary items. These items in the supplementary estimates demonstrate our clear commitment to Canadians to grow our economy, strengthen the middle class and help those working hard to join it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you, Minister.

Up next, we have Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, for five minutes, please.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My thanks to the committee members for being here today and for inviting ministers Hajdu, Qualtrough, Tassi and myself to join you. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of officials from Employment and Social Development Canada.

We are gathered on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation.

Let me begin by acknowledging the wonderful work your committee has done on private members' motion M-110. The motion asked you to undertake a study on the impact of infant death on parents. It is a highly sensitive subject, but you handled it with great respect and diligence.

I would also like to take a few moments to review the measures we have recently taken to help workers, parents and family caregivers access EI benefits in a more flexible, inclusive and easier way.

Firstly, let me point out that decreased premiums mean that workers will have paid up to $70 less for premiums in 2019, compared to what they paid in 2015. In addition, by October 2019, nearly 5 million claimants will have benefited from the reduced waiting period, which has gone from two weeks to one week. The figure is correct: 5 million claimants.

Finally, families can now choose to receive parental benefits for 12 months, or 18 months at a lower benefit rate. New support measures are available to help care for a family member with a serious injury or illness.

As you can see, our government is working very hard to keep its word. We promised to implement measures that would help middle-class Canadians first and foremost. We want to help more people join the middle class and that is precisely what we are doing and will continue to do in the coming months.

By October 2019, an estimated 57,000 parents will choose the extended parental benefits option to better meet their family needs. Approximately 61,000 families will receive shared parental benefits, which will promote equality between men and women, among other things. About 24,000 caregivers will use the new caregiver benefits to provide support to a loved one.

In short, employment insurance now offers more choice, flexibility and generosity to families and caregivers. I am proud of these major improvements that we have implemented together. I am equally proud of the progress we are making to reduce poverty in Canada.

Once again, I would like to thank the committee for its valuable work during its study entitled “Breaking the Cycle: A Study on Poverty Reduction”, the report for which was tabled in the House of Commons in May 2017. Your report provided very useful and relevant recommendations to the government and was most helpful in our joint efforts to develop the first Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Last August, we launched “Opportunity for All: Canada's First Poverty Reduction Strategy.” With this in mind, we also drafted and introduced Bill C-87, An Act Respecting the Reduction of Poverty. Our goal is to reduce poverty by 20% by the year 2020, and by 50% by the year 2030.

Allow me also to mention the Canada Child Benefit, the first ever National Housing Strategy in our country's history, and the Reaching Home Program, which is a key component of our country's new National Housing Strategy.

In closing, I would like to say how proud I am of the work we have done together to improve the social and economic well-being of all Canadians in the middle class, and those working hard to join it.

We have kept our promises so far, but much remains to be done. Our collective efforts will enable us to get there.

I look forward to continuing the excellent collaboration we have had with you to build on this momentum for the benefit of all Canadians.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you, sir.

Up next, we have the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors.

[Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to begin by thanking all the committee members for the invitation to be with you here today. It's really nice to be back at HUMA. It was the committee at which I first started after being elected as a member of Parliament. I'm very aware of the great work that takes place at this committee. I thank you for that great work.

When the Prime Minister appointed me as Minister of Seniors last summer, he entrusted me with a mission full of exciting and positive challenges. My job as Minister of Seniors is to help the government better understand the needs of Canadian seniors and ensure that the programs and services respond to the needs of Canada's aging population.

As we have stated before, by 2030 seniors will make up almost one quarter of the population. We need to get ready for this. The Government of Canada has the power and the duty to help seniors, especially those facing challenges. Compared to other places in the world, where growing older can be a struggle, Canada is fortunate. Caring for seniors truly is a whole-of-government effort. Around the cabinet table, all my colleagues have been proponents of initiatives supporting our seniors and their caregivers. Together, we design and deliver programs to help seniors live healthier, more active lives.

I'm especially proud of the significant progress our government has made in just three years to improve the quality of life of Canadian seniors. In particular, we look at the steps to increase the financial security of Canadian seniors, especially the most vulnerable seniors. Here, for example, I reference the increase in the guaranteed income supplement for the lowest-income seniors, which we increased by almost $1,000 per year. This has resulted in assisting close to 900,000 seniors across Canada, 70% of whom have been women, who have benefited from this.

To ensure better protection for banking customers, particularly seniors, we amended the Bank Act to better regulate high-pressure sales tactics, overcharging, fraud and other potential risks when dealing with financial institutions and telecommunication companies.

We know that a secure and dignified retirement goes beyond financial stability, and that is why we're helping seniors stay in their homes, in their communities. This is a top priority for our government. We have heard that most seniors wish to age in place. We want to support them in that. That's why we invested $6 billion in home care and palliative care.

The national housing strategy will reduce the number of seniors in housing need through the new $13.2-billion national housing co-investment fund. This fund is expected to create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and will support much-needed renovations, including improved accessibility, to allow seniors to age in place.

My cabinet colleagues and our dedicated team of public servants at Employment and Social Development Canada work hard each and every day to develop programs and services designed to secure a dignified and comfortable future for Canadian seniors. We encourage initiatives to promote healthy aging. For example, the new horizons for seniors program continues to provide funding and support to many communities and organizations dedicated to improving seniors' well-being and reducing social isolation.

Health concerns have a direct correlation to the quality of life, and this is especially true for seniors. Too often, seniors experience mental health issues such as Alzheimer's or dementia. Our government has set up a joint federal-provincial-territorial initiative to support the development and implementation of a national dementia strategy that will aim to improve the quality of life of those living with dementia, as well as their caregivers.

In conclusion, know that I will continue to advance seniors issues, a cause that I care deeply about and a portfolio that I am truly honoured and humbled to have been asked to serve in.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you, Minister Tassi.

Up next, we have the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Accessibility.

You have five minutes, please.

[Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Accessibility]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Hello to members of the committee.

It's a pleasure to be here today with my colleagues to speak to the 2018-19 supplementary estimates funding, specifically for disability programs, and to give you an update on the progress that's been made with respect to my mandate as minister responsible for accessibility.

I'm going to try to provide a brief presentation, because I would like to give you as much time as possible to ask questions, and for me to reply to them.

Through supplementary estimates (B), we're making the following statutory authorities adjustments to the Canada disability savings program, which includes the registered disability savings plan. The first is a decrease of $44.2 million for the Canada disability savings grants. The second is an increase of $49.2 million for the Canada disability savings bonds. When combined, these result in a net increase of $5 million for the Canada disability savings program.

The Canada disability savings program is a long-term savings plan to help persons with disabilities and their families to save for the future. The increase of $5 million is due to continued growth in the program. This critical program supports long-term financial security for persons with disabilities. We're happy to see an increase in participation in this program, and we continue to explore ways in which we can improve its impact on supporting Canadians with disabilities.

Also, as per my Accessibility portfolio, ESDC is requesting additional funding for the administration of the proposed accessible Canada act, and to enhance the opportunities fund for persons with disabilities. This represents an increase of $6.2 million in the 2018-19 main estimates presented to this committee by Minister Duncan back in May.

As you know, one of my priorities over the past year has been to have Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act adopted as quickly as possible. To do so, we listened to comments from Canadians whom the bill directly affects, and we worked hard to respond to them.

Honourable members, thank you for your dedicated work in studying the proposed accessible Canada act last fall. I was very proud that this bill has passed the House with support from all parties. Thanks to your effort, the proposed accessible Canada act is now before the Senate, and I hope it will continue through the parliamentary process in a timely manner.

In addition, I'd like to acknowledge the difficult and emotional work you are doing on the private member's motion M-192 regarding the protection of the needs of people with episodic disabilities caused by multiple sclerosis, among other things. I'm looking forward to reading your report in the spring.

For Canada to become an even more accessible and inclusive country for everyone, we must continue to support people with disabilities. For decades, people with disabilities have worked hard to make Canada more inclusive and more accessible.

Bill C-81 is a catalyst for change and reflects their work, their commitment and their contributions. It further strengthens this important bill.

In terms of timelines and priorities for the application of Bill C-81, the government is committed to timely and meaningful progress on implementation. New entities, such as the proposed Canadian accessibility standards development organization, will be operational within six to 12 months of royal assent. Initial regulations will be based on recognized and established standards, and as now required by the proposed legislation, the first regulations under the act will be made by 2021. The establishment of these regulations ensures the legislation will be reviewed by Parliament by 2026.

Honourable members, as Minister of Accessibility, my objective is to establish a Canada where persons with disabilities can participate fully in our society and our economy, and where they have an equal chance to succeed.

Thank you for your help in making this happen.

We are happy to take your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you very much.

Thank you to all of you for staying within the time constraints.

Up first with questions, we have MP Barlow, please.

[John Barlow]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Before I get to my questions, I just want to say publicly how disappointed I am. I appreciate the fact that the ministers came, but although you talk about how important you feel the work of this committee is, the fact that all four of you appeared together, giving us one round of questions, just shows exactly how you feel about the importance of the work of this committee and our opportunity to ask you questions. It's unbelievable that four ministers had this one hour in their timeline to be together at this committee.

It's not only a disservice and disrespectful to us on this side, but it's also disrespectful to your own colleagues, who are not going to have an opportunity to ask you a question. They will get one round, the same as us, and I just don't think this is right.

Mr. Chair, we talked to you about how we felt about this.

For a government that keeps talking about “open and transparent” and “we're going to do things differently”, it is really disappointing that you won't each give us an hour of your time to talk about the things that you keep saying are so important and we obviously feel are important as well, which is why we are here.

To give us five minutes, obviously it was an organized decision to make sure that we had extremely limited time to ask any questions. I just want to make sure that anybody who is watching this today understands that this is highly irregular, and that it is extremely disrespectful and disappointing that you won't give us the opportunity to talk about the number of motions, bills and legislation going through here. We can only touch on a few things and that's really quite disappointing.

I do want to get to some questions, as I have a limited amount of time. My first questions will be for Minister Qualtrough. These weren't questions I was planning on asking, but I watched your announcement on the weekend and again last night on television.

Your department is considering changes to the ethical procurement rules for federal contracts. Those who have criminal charges now get a 10-year ban from bidding on federal contracts, but you have said that your department is looking at making changes to that, that you could reduce the number of years on that.

Where did that decision come from? How many times have you been lobbied by SNC-Lavalin to make this decision?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Excuse me, Mr. Barlow.

Mr. Ruimy.

[Dan Ruimy, Liberal, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

On a point of order, I'm just trying to understand the relevance here to the supplementary estimates.

[John Barlow]

Well, to my colleague, many of the ministers talked about things that had nothing to do with the supplementary estimates, and I'm taking this very small opportunity that I have to ask questions to ask questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

I will have to agree with Mr. Ruimy. Minister Qualtrough is here in her role with regard to accessibility. She doesn't report to this committee—

[John Barlow]

Mr. Chair, it's my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

That's fair enough, but —

[John Barlow]

They've made the decision. Jobs are dependent on this decision.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Yes.

[John Barlow]

They have talked about this in question period every day, the jobs that are on the line. We are the committee that deals with labour.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

We are in HUMA. Minister Qualtrough is here as the Minister of Accessibility.

[John Barlow]

Mr. Chair, it's my time; I'm going to ask the question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Relevance is required on this. Get back to relevance.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

It's relevant. It goes to labour shortage.

[John Barlow]

You're giving us a limited amount of time to talk to the ministers—