Human Resources Committee on Dec. 7th, 2017

Evidence of meeting #77 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 students.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Experiential Learning and Pathways to Employment for Canadian Youth
Committee Business

MPs speaking

Bryan May
Steven Blaney
Dan Ruimy
Brigitte Sansoucy
Mona Fortier
Ramesh Sangha
Karen Vecchio
Yves Robillard
Bobby Morrissey
Alice Wong

Also speaking

Lawrence Slaney  Director of Training, United Association Canada
Alain Tremblay  Executive Director, Internship and Work Placement Services, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual
Colleen Mooney  Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
Orville Lee  President and Co-Founder, Pathfinder Youth Centre Society
Ruth Lee  Executive Director and Co-Founder, Pathfinder Youth Centre Society

5:15 p.m.

Executive Director, Internship and Work Placement Services, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual

Alain Tremblay

Yes. I think we need to help employers by providing programs to make them aware of this reality. Employers are becoming more aware of this, but we must face the facts: those students need more attention. In that sense, we have to help them.

5:15 p.m.

NDP

Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

So there should be a program for employers, a kind of compensation. These students may end up achieving an equivalent level of productivity, but they need support.

5:15 p.m.

Executive Director, Internship and Work Placement Services, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual

Alain Tremblay

They need special attention, but most of all, they need us to take the time to talk to them and give them confidence. Once they are confident, they work well. However, between the time they need to gain confidence and the time they start their first job, a lot of effort is required.

5:15 p.m.

NDP

Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

I have read other articles about this. Earlier, you mentioned companies in the computer industry. I have read that employers even turn to people with a form of autism because of their particular abilities. It is clear that it makes them more efficient for certain jobs. You alluded to it earlier. I did not ask you any questions about it because I have worked with clients like that.

5:15 p.m.

Executive Director, Internship and Work Placement Services, Université de Sherbrooke, As an Individual

Alain Tremblay

Yes, but they must agree to disclose their disorder. The problem is that, in many cases, young people do not want to do so.

As soon as they do, we can support them, but when they refuse, they start having all sorts of problems and may end up dropping out.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Thank you. I have to cut in. I'm sorry.

That brings us to the end.

I have a very brief question just for the record for the Lees.

You mentioned that for one of your programs you do a $6 an hour top-up. Where does that funding come from?

5:15 p.m.

Executive Director and Co-Founder, Pathfinder Youth Centre Society

Ruth Lee

It comes from the skills link program.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Perfect. Thank you. I just wanted to confirm that.

Thank you all for coming today. We do have to very quickly ask you to leave. We have a very brief amount of committee business to do.

[Proceedings continue in camera]