Evidence of meeting #53 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 ministers.
A video is available from Parliament.
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
Like I said, that specific measure hasn't been determined to be the best measure, the measure that we would end up using as a target or something that we would use, so it's premature to determine.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
The minister mentioned a 40% reduction in child poverty as a result of the Canada child benefit. On what date did this new benefit arrive with Canadian families?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
When did the CCB start?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think it was July 1, 2016.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
The 40% reduction in child poverty rates, that's over what period of time?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
The base would be what the situation was pre-implementation of the CCB, and then post-implementation. We would look at data from 2014-15 and then look at the impact post-implementation of the CCB.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
I have no doubt that it would be pre- and post-implementation, but what was the starting point and the end point?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
The starting point, from what I understand, would be that we looked at data from 2014-15, and then the post-implementation would be 2016-17.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
I have the table here that your department gave the minister on this very question, and it starts in 2013 and goes to 2017. Does that sound right?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
It's over a period of time.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
I note here that about half of the reduction in child poverty, then, would have occurred prior to the Canada child benefit actually arriving in July 2016.
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
There are fluctuations in the level of child poverty over time.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Right. It's just that the reduction that you're citing starts in 2013 and ends in 2017.
Half of the reduction in poverty that your minister was boasting of occurred before his child benefit actually took effect, according to the table that your department provided him in a briefing note last year.
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
As I was saying, the period of time is reasonably accurate that I think you're talking about. This is all based on data that has lags. Right? So you look at the data when you have it, and then it needs to be adjusted. There is a change from one year to the next as to how many children are in poverty prior and before.
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
Then you get to the point where, okay, there has been an adjustment. You look at what the impact will be again, and of course, that varies over time.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Here is my final question, then. Is it fair to attribute to the child benefit a reduction in poverty that actually occurred before the benefit came into effect?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
The answer would be that there is definitively an impact as a result of the CCB on child poverty. There's no question. The data shows that. The exact number will change over time. There's a forecast, and then years later an actual impact. For all we know the impact could be 50% by the time we have all the data accumulated.
Liberal
Ramesh Sangha Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My question goes to the deputy minister of Employment and Social Development Canada. I started living in Canada after coming as an immigrant. I obtained a law degree. It took me more than six years to complete my law degree and join the legal profession. Generally, immigrants who come with a foreign credential are not getting their credentials updated in a timely manner. They have to go to some other jobs that do not correspond with their professional qualifications. They go for small jobs for less pay.
Could you take us through the system? I know that some system is coming into place. What are the approaches you are going to follow in an innovative way and how are they going to be effective?
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think you're talking about the foreign credential recognition program.
Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
Unfortunately I'm not 100% familiar with the program. I'm familiar with it at the very high level, but you're looking at the specifics. I know that we provide support. I think micro-grants are provided. Also, we're in the process of providing assistance from a loan perspective to ensure that individuals have sufficient resources to be able to take the necessary courses, and so on.
