Human Resources Committee on Feb. 2nd, 2021

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thanks, Chair.

There have been an abundant number of studies in the last few years on employment insurance. I think that certainly next Friday wouldn't be too aggressive in setting a deadline for at least the first wave of witnesses. I would think that by this Friday it's quite possible that we could have a dozen or so folks who have studied this deeply: from the various think tanks, from the various international organizations that have looked at either guaranteed wage or employment insurance in its different forms. I think we could very easily have a pretty broad group of proposed witnesses by next week.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

All right. Thank you.

Madame Chabot.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Next Friday is realistic. To be sure, we could look at the following Monday. That's just another few days. You are right in saying that we will have no difficulty finding witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you.

Mr. Vaughan, please go ahead.

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

To aid in our work and to build on what MP Kent just said, a pretty comprehensive study was filed in the last Parliament. It may be worthwhile for the clerk to circulate that particular study to all members of the committee to make sure we don't duplicate some of the recommendations or some of the ideas and also take a look at the witnesses there who may have been called before and diversify the different voices we're hearing from.

If it would be possible for the clerk to circulate that to the committee, that would be great.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Okay, what I'm hearing is that my suggestion of the 11th is anything but aggressive, so we can probably pull back from that a couple of days. Parliament doesn't sit next week. Today is the 2nd. Let's say a week from today. How about that? That gives folks the weekend if they need it.

So, can we agree that the deadline for the submission of witnesses to the clerk of the committee will be February 9 at five o'clock eastern? I think the analyst has made an excellent suggestion that we start with departmental officials on the 18th.

Mr. Vaughan, did you want to speak to that, or are we ready to move to the next item?

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

No, we're good.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

All right.

Mr. Vis, go ahead.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

For the department officials, can we make sure that the analyst provides everyone on the committee with a copy of the report I referenced and maybe that the officials responsible for reviewing the administrative and technological capacity of the program come before committee as part of the suite of departmental witnesses?

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you.

Actually, we're going to come back to you, Mr. Vis, because.... I would like the committee to have a look at and perhaps advise on the draft letter that has been circulated. I'll give you a brief synopsis, and then I'm going to give the floor to Mr. Vis.

The Department of Indigenous Services came before the committee. Mr. Vis asked a series of questions around costing, and the bureaucrats provided a written response. Mr. Vis was not satisfied that the written response was a complete answer and has asked me as the chair to write back to the officials to get a more complete answer. A letter has been drafted to that effect.

I'll cede the floor to Mr. Vis. Is there anything further you wish to add? Otherwise, we'll take the advice of the committee as to whether the letter should be sent and whether the content should be as drafted.

Go ahead, Mr. Vis.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My main contention was.... When I read the correspondence from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, I was asking them the same set of questions and they were able to provide a much more thorough response, including the number of people at CMHC who worked on indigenous-related housing.

It was a very straightforward question, and the department failed to provide any indication or any number of staff who worked on indigenous housing. I think it's only fair that they give a breakdown of how many staff members were on these files, as per my request. It was just a simple follow-up and there's no ill intent. I just want a complete answer to my question.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Mr. Vis, at 3:44 Atlantic, so 2:44 eastern, a draft letter was sent. I don't know if you've had a chance to look at it, but I'm certainly open to your comments. This letter was put together by the clerk, with some suggestions or at least a once-over by me.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

If that letter does the trick, great. If you have any constructive criticism or changes that you'd like to make—or that any other member of the committee would like to make—please share that with us.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

I communicated to the clerk that I was satisfied with the letter.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

That's great.

Are there any other interventions as to whether a letter should be sent and whether it should be that letter?

I see Mrs. Falk likes it.

Ms. Chabot, the floor is yours.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Chair, help me, because I may be missing something. What letter are you referring to exactly? Are you talking about some correspondence that we have received?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

The letter was sent by email at 2:45 p.m. today

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Right, I have just opened it. It's about the written reply from the Department of Indigenous Services.

What do you want to do with the letter? Is it an answer for us?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

We asked them to add more detailed information to what the officials sent in writing after they testified before the committee.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I imagine we can reply to it, can't we?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I hope so.

Mr. Kent, do you have a comment?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thanks, Chair.

I think the letter serves a purpose. It's straightforward; it's respectful and it merely reiterates a reasonable request.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Is there anyone else with any concerns? If not, I think we're good to send the letter.

Mr. Schmale, go ahead.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

I apologize. It was on another issue. I thought you were done.