Evidence of meeting #19 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was women.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, Mr. Albas.
Ms. Chabot, would you like to speak to the amendment?
3:20 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Yes, I thank Mr. Albas for his clarifications.
This year, the context is unique, too unique even, and I will stop there. It is important that we give ourselves time to do our work, but at the same time, we could do it in the next session, where the process will hopefully be faster, as it normally is.
So I agree with Mr. Albas' proposal and with the Liberals' amendment.
3:20 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I have one other follow-up question. Perhaps Mr. Albas can advise. How many meetings does he envision would be required for this study?
3:20 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Chair, I imagine that we have the minister and some officials. That would take at least one meeting, perhaps two meetings, depending how we go from there. I know there is a lot of concern from not-for-profits, businesses and different student groups, so it depends on how many witnesses this committee deems necessary, and also how many meetings we have.
I don't see this being an exhaustive study, but I think there are a number of viewpoints that need to be heard. I certainly would welcome this being discussed at the next subcommittee meeting. There is enough flexibility that if there is a flood of witnesses and we all decide we want to hear from each one of them, we could go on, or we could make it rather tight.
3:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, Mr. Albas.
Is there any further discussion on the amendment?
3:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Chair, I have a quick question.
Did someone put forward the amendment to change the date?
3:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
I thought she said that it was a friendly amendment. I didn't think she moved it.
3:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
You are correct, Mr. Albas. I took it that it was going to be moved if it wasn't considered to be friendly, but it wasn't formally moved.
I see Ms. Kwan has her hand raised, and Ms. Chabot wants in.
Let's start with Ms. Kwan, please.
3:25 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Chair, I will support the amendment. I think that moving it to December is a reasonable timeline simply because we have a full plate of witnesses before us to deal with the COVID issue.
I think if we get this done by December, there would still be time to provide input to the minister and the government for next summer, which I think is hopefully the purpose of the program.
3:25 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
As I said earlier, I support the amendment to the motion.
I feel it is absolutely essential that, next summer, the Canada Summer Jobs process start in January or February, as it usually does, so that the jobs are awarded in April.
This year, we are extremely late, hence the importance of giving us a deadline to proceed with the study. The important thing is to be ready for the next session. That one must not be delayed.
3:25 p.m.
Liberal
Kate Young Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if you called on me.
I just want to make sure—
3:25 p.m.
Conservative
3:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Chair, I would put forward a simple amendment to change my own motion from September 21 to October 31, to give committee members a little more time and flexibility. Perhaps that will receive support.
3:25 p.m.
The Clerk
Normally not; it would require another member moving another motion.
