Evidence of meeting #12 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was urban.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
To try to resolve this, it looks like we have a meeting on the 26th and 28th of January, and on the second, fourth, 16th and 18th of February, if I have that right. We have one more slate of witnesses to go on the 28th, and nothing is going to change that.
The question then becomes on which date the rapid housing initiative update happens. I should have an answer by Thursday afternoon. We're pretty certain we'll have the minister plus CMHC officials to share an update and provide information.
That leaves a gap on either the second or the fourth, based on when the minister can come. I would propose to get an answer on Thursday as to whether it's the second or the fourth. At that time we can decide how we slot in Jesse Thistle as a last witness on this study and get the rapid housing initiative, which if we're lucky will give us a gap day that we could probably do the committee business on.
I believe a Conservative study and a Bloc study are lined up next. Lining up what that looks like will give us the ability on the 18th to hit the Bloc's, running with witnesses, instead of starting our study on the 18th. It would allow us to take advantage of the PBO delay and speed up one of the opposition's studies, which is already in the queue, for more evaluation. I think there's an EI study with the Conservatives that we talked about, that would be apropos at this time, as we move towards the budget.
The motion would be to hear the PBO on the 16th and do our drafting instructions on that date, and to use either the second or the fourth—based on the minister's availability—for rapid housing and a Jesse Thistle invitation. Then, use the other remaining date—either the second or the fourth—to effectively schedule and start the next study, so that on the 18th we take witnesses and get the study under way.
5:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
This is getting into subcommittee business, or is that a motion?
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
Brad, the attempt here is to be respectful of the decision we made to get to a new study going quickly and to get this one done. The PBO has to let us restructure when those dates start. Rather than initiating the start of the study on the 18th, we'd do that on either the second or the fourth, so we can hit the ground running on the 18th with one of the studies that's in the queue.
5:40 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm not sure I followed the motion that was just proposed verbally, with a type of schedule. I'd like to get it in writing so that it's clear, and we can make a decision on Thursday, if you agree.
This is what I retained from our work in subcommittee. We adopted three motions to establish our priorities. The first is our current study on indigenous housing; we will finish hearing from witnesses this week. The second motion deals with rapid housing, and the third motion deals with employment insurance reform.
I'm trying to see what the plan is; I'm not sure I understand.
We already have the witnesses for Thursday. I'd like the motion and the schedule you're proposing to be clearly stated. I agree that the studies referred to in these three motions should not be delayed.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
That seems reasonable.
I'll draft a proposed schedule and present it on Thursday. In the meantime, I move that we hear from the PBO and schedule drafting for February 16, because we know those dates are set in stone. On Thursday, we'll also have the minister's date locked down for that week.
5:40 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
On a point of order; I can't hear any interpretation at all, Mr. Chair.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
I think the translation is on the wrong channel, because I'm getting English in my ear, simultaneously.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
The motion would be that I'll return with a proposed schedule for Thursday, so that it's written down, but in the interim, we schedule for February 16 both a drafting session as well as a report from the PBO. I will also return on Thursday with a date for the minister and RHI for either the second or the fourth. We'll have it all locked down for Thursday, with the variables that we discussed.
We can deal with it between now and Thursday, and I'll reach out to colleagues to make sure I have consensus on the motion presented.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
All right. We're about to be kicked out of the meeting room.
Are there any further interventions?
Excellent. Do we require a vote on the motion? Do we have consensus to proceed with the invitation to the PBO on the 18th and further discussion on future business on Thursday?
(Motion agreed to)
Do we have consensus to adjourn? We have consensus again.
Thank you very much, colleagues. I hope we didn't get anyone in trouble for overstaying our welcome. We'll see you Thursday. Have a good evening.
The meeting is adjourned.