Evidence of meeting #7 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 workers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
But those guidelines don't compel a provincial government to act in any particular way.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
They're simply frameworks for use.
Also, the allocation of masks in the health care system, in seniors residences and also in homeless shelters is made by the provincial B.C. government.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
They decide whether or not a hospital is prioritized over a seniors home, or a homeless shelter is prioritized over a seniors home, or a seniors home is in fact prioritized over a different provincial workplace.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
Yes, MP Vaughan, and thanks for raising this. It's really about us working collaboratively. We as a federal government want to provide the support, but it's up to each of the provinces and territories to determine how that support is distributed. We think that's important, because they are in each of the communities. They know their communities better than anyone else does.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
In terms of the issues that were raised around Quebec and overriding Quebec labour laws, or overriding Quebec collective agreements, or overriding public service agreements with the Government of Quebec, we don't have the federal authority to unilaterally override Quebec labour laws or override collective agreements or tell the Premier of Quebec how to assign public servants to which jobs. That is not an area of federal responsibility.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
In terms of airline workers, we're aware of five airline workers who have contracted COVID. We're aware that there are 200 in isolation. Are we aware of how much of that is related to the repatriation of Canadians and the fact that they were coming from areas with high infections and we were working night and day to evacuate Canadians to safety? How many of those isolations are directly tied to rescuing Canadians and have nothing to do with masks? Even if you had a mask, you would still be in isolation. The mask wouldn't prevent you from getting COVID. It may prevent you from spreading it.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
MP Vaughan, that's an excellent question. I don't have those exact details, but the point you're making is well noted.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Mr. Vaughan, excuse me, but we need to adjourn because of the demand on the resources of the House.
This will be your last question.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
Okay.
On the issue of PPE, while we set guidelines and we clearly have a federal stockpile to share and distribute with the provinces, the provinces also have a responsibility to maintain stockpiles as well.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
That's my understanding. We are doing absolutely everything we can. Even though this is a provincial jurisdiction matter, the federal government isn't quibbling about jurisdictions. We are working very hard to get as much PPE as we possibly can and then provide it to our provincial and territorial partners.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, Mr. Vaughan.
We are now at the appointed hour. As I indicated, there are significant demands on House of Commons resources in order to keep the committees moving.
Minister, thank you so much for your attendance.
Colleagues, thank you very much for this meeting. We won't be apart very long. We'll see you on Monday.
The meeting is adjourned.