I had my hand up before. I just wanted to make a friendly recommendation to my colleague MP Vis in terms of the goals he's looking for regarding oversight when he puts the motion forward the next time. It sounds as if the purpose of the study is different from what was initially stated, and I'm just hoping that's clear when he puts the motion forward the next time, when we have a chance to review it.

October 9th, 2020 / 2:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Ms. Gazan.

Go ahead, Mr. Vis.

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

Indeed the motion is technical but I think it's very clear that I'm asking for a one-hour meeting per month to receive updates from relevant officials at ESDC and CMHC on the progress related to the rapid housing initiative.

My goal in proposing this motion is to ensure effective oversight of the government program aiming to achieve the objective of 3,000 homes within a six-month period. I want to make sure this takes place. In the spirit of this minority Parliament, in co-operation, in being aggressively reasonable, that is what I am intending to do with this, for the well-being of Canadians.

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

I love that—“aggressively reasonable”.

I don't see anyone else on the speakers list. Is there any further discussion on whether the debate should now be adjourned?

I see none. Can we proceed by consensus to adjourn the debate, or do we require a recorded division?

I see consensus.

2:45 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

The debate on this matter is adjourned.

Ms. Chabot, you have the floor to present a notice of motion or a motion.

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My dear colleagues, I am advising you that I am going to present the motions that I have already given to the clerk. I am going to present them to you today, and you can consider them notices of motions for debate at the next committee meeting. My understanding is that I can present them as notices of motions, so that everyone can become familiar with them.

The first notice of motion concerns employment insurance. I am moving that the committee undertake a study on the reform of the employment insurance program, that it invite the Hon. Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion to speak to us on this issue, and that it hold at least five meetings on the matter.

As you all know, the assistance programs, the emergency programs, and everything else that had to be put into place, including the more flexible EI system, are coming to an end in 12 months. On the issue of EI reform, it would be interesting to know where the minister stands and to hear from witnesses on what the reforms will involve.

The second notice of motion deals with the impoverishment of seniors age 65 and over:

That, the Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), undertake a study about the impoverishment of the elders…and of the federal help to address the situation…

We are asking that at least two meetings be held to hear witnesses.

The third notice of motion is as follows:

That, the committee, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), undertake a study addressing the improvements necessary to the seasonal worker's pilot project, ending in May 2021…

This motion is one of the ones we passed. In our original motion, the deadline was May 2020. As the program has been extended for another year, we amended the motion. We are also asking that there be at least two meetings on the matter.

I had introduced the next motion previously, but the committee never dealt with it. The motion proposes that the committee revisit the issue of protecting pension funds in the event of bankruptcy. This has had an impact on the industry and our businesses. As such, we propose that the Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada be invited to answer questions from committee members for approximately one hour. Perhaps we could take three hours to hear from witnesses.

The final motion concerns Service Canada locations:

That, considering the situation of incomplete reopening of the Service Canada desks, and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study and make recommendations on the causes and impacts of desks closing on citizens of all regions. That the committee invite the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to address this issue; that the committee held at least two (2) meetings of three (3) hours each to hear witnesses…

There you go. To sum up, we have a notice of motion on employment insurance, a notice of motion related to the impoverishment of seniors and notices of motion on the current pilot project for seasonal workers, the partial reopening of Service Canada locations and the issue of pension funds.

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any further business to come before the meeting?

Seeing none, I thank you, colleagues, and I welcome you back. It looks as though we have an overflowing plate and some work for the subcommittee to tend to.

I wish you all a great Thanksgiving and look forward to working with you in this session.

We're adjourned.