Human Resources Committee on Oct. 4th, 2016

[Michel Tremblay]

Certainly, thank you.

The national housing strategy, as I mentioned and as Mr. Duclos mentioned, covers the whole continuum of housing. As part of our consultation process, we're obviously collaborating closely with our provinces and territories, our partners, as well as others. We also held expert round tables specifically on seniors housing in Ottawa a few weeks ago. We are looking for innovative ways and different solutions to address seniors housing, in particular.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

On that, two constituents of mine who are seniors have been living together as a couple in mobile home with a leaking roof for three years. They're on fixed incomes and don't have the money to replace the roof. This is an individual case, but it is example of people who could become homeless because they do not have the resources to fix something as basic as a roof. It's not provincial; it's not federal. As a country, I think we need to look at better ways of making sure that we are taking care of people, because in that specific example, I don't know what to do to help those seniors, because there's no resources for doing so.

We are going to have to go to the Rotary club or the Lions club and try find a creative solution for this. That said, I reiterate that we need to change and expand how we're taking care of our Canadian seniors.

It's good news that we are discussing this here, but I think I'll end my time with that comment. I think we need to do better.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

You have about a minute left.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

I'll give my time to Bob Zimmer.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

One minute, sir.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Thanks for the opportunity. I won't go through a big preamble, but I just have one question.

There has been discussion, especially by the minister previously, Mr. Duclos, about a basic income guarantee. Have you costed what that program would cost Canadians?

[Louise Levonian]

My colleagues are saying, no, we haven't costed that.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

I hear there are some test cases that are going forward. I know there's one in Ontario, and I believe there are even some federal ones. Have these individual programs not been costed either?

[Louise Levonian]

I understand that there's one in Quebec and one in Ontario. I believe they're pilot projects. You'd have to ask the provincial governments whether they've been costed.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

I've seen estimates that it would cost Canadians as much as $1.4 trillion to broadly establish a basic income guarantee. I would look forward to hearing what that number would actually be if you were to cost it, because it's a great concern. Certainly, we want to make sure that people are taken care of; but again, in talking about Joe and Jane Taxpayer, they, ultimately, will have to pay the bill for this, and it's a big one.

[Louise Levonian]

You'd ultimately have to define what you mean by “basic income” to be able to, in the end—

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

I think what's proposed by the ministry is around $22,000 per individual in basic income for the year. The understanding is supposed to be that other social programs would be reduced or eliminated as a result, so that it would be an offsetting thing. We've heard, with some concern, that Ontario's proposed study is talking about giving the money but not cancelling some of the other programs to offset the cost. Of course, that's going to be a dramatic increase in cost to everybody.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure to hear from you again this morning.

Thank you very much for being here and allowing us to kind of pick your brains for a little bit.

If you don't mind sticking with us for a few more moments here, it's an absolute pleasure to announce that this committee has made a decision with respect to the eternal flame fund. For those folks who have ever walked by the eternal flame outside and wondered what happens to the money that gets thrown in there, it's up to this committee to determine where that money goes. It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Brian Hill, the recipient of the 2016 edition of the Centennial Flame Research Award.

Welcome, Mr. Hill.

Quite simply, this annual monetary award is given each year to a person with a disability to enable him or her to conduct research and prepare a report on the contributions of one or more Canadians with disabilities to the public life of Canada or the activities of Parliament.

Born with a genetic retinal disorder, Mr. Hill is widely considered one of Canada's best Paralympic swimmers, competing successfully in multiple Paralympic games. Mr. Hill's research will focus on the impact of sport upon the lives of persons with a disability, and how access to sport at different stages of life empowers persons with a disability. In addition, Mr. Hill will consider what obstacles exist that prevent disabled Canadians from accessing sport.

We do have a few people who would like to speak, but very briefly, because we have a very—

[Brigitte Sansoucy, NDP, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Chair, before you continue your acknowledgments to Mr. Hill, who has my congratulations, I would like you to ask the department officials to send our clerk the written answer to the question that I asked at the end of my intervention, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

That's a good question. Thank you for reminding me.

If there are additional questions, please get those to the clerk by Friday and we'll distribute them as well.

I believe Mr. Zimmer has a quick comment.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

It's only a brief comment, Mr. Hill.

I simply want it to be known that we were unanimous in deciding that you should receive this award. We like your story, and it's well-deserved. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all members of the committee to attend the eternal flame outside, where we would like, with Mr. Hill's permission, to get a photo with him that we can include in a press release we will be sending out about this.

Thank you very much everybody. Thanks again to those who brought us all kinds of information today.

Thank you to the clerk, the analyst, and the translators of course, as always, and the technical folks.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.