Evidence of meeting #2 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 chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
The Clerk
Absolutely.
The question is this: Shall the chair's ruling be sustained?
(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 10, nays 1)
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
October 28th, 2020 / 4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I'm just wondering, given the delays caused by the vote and technical issues and so forth, whether we have resources here in committee to go beyond our scheduled 5:30 time.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
I've been assured in advance that we do, although I don't know how much beyond that we could go.
Can you shed some light on that, Mr. Clerk?
4:55 p.m.
The Clerk
I inquired regarding the full two hours of time and was given assurances that this was not a problem.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Hopefully we won't need it all. Thank you, Mr. Kent.
Colleagues, you have before you the report of the subcommittee. I can tell you that the committee worked very well and harmoniously to come up with this report, so if we could deal with that, it would be in order for someone other than me to move adoption of the report, and then we'll entertain debate.
The floor is open.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
I was hoping you would.
The motion is in order. Are there any further interventions?
Seeing none, I guess we're ready for the vote. All those in favour of adoption of the—
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Chair, sorry; I couldn't get my microphone on. I just wanted to intervene before we vote.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
I had a very friendly conversation with Parliamentary Secretary Vaughan yesterday. I did note in the subcommittee report that my motion would be studied after the indigenous housing motion—I'm sorry, but I forget the specific name—and what I'm asking today is if we can obtain further resources from the House of Commons to have more than one meeting per week. I am simply and reasonably asking for one hour of committee time—not even a full meeting, but one hour of time—to discuss my study at HUMA before Christmas.
There was already $500 million allocated by the minister to specific projects, and I believe another $250 million or so in the supplementary estimates (B). I just want to provide some scrutiny to that in a reasonable way. If the resources are available, maybe I need to have an amendment to my motion to have one one-hour meeting before the Christmas break.
Thank you.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
After speaking with the subcommittee, I think part of the reason it was put after the study on employment insurance was that the program is really just rolling out in November. We'll have a lot more data in the new year, at which time we'll be able to make a clear assessment. It's hard to research how a program is going when we don't have all the information.
I think the intention of the subcommittee was to understand the importance of your study and to really do a good job at it by pushing it a little bit forward.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
Just to clarify, the member opposite is looking for an update and a sort of check-in to see where it's going. We are aware that having two meetings a week is critical, just because of estimates and the studies that we have forecast. I am in agreement on a check-in for a one-hour component of a meeting if we get those two meetings a week and if we have time to bring in the minister and CMHC officials to update the committee on where we stand heading into the new year. We hope to do that. We want to do that. I have no problem trying to get that done, but I am fully aware and respectful of the fact that the subcommittee and now the committee have chosen to stage the urban and rural northern study, the EI study and a thorough study of the rapid housing initiative.
We will make every effort, if there is time in the schedule, to bring the minister and CMHC forward to update the committee on where that program stands, how the dollars are being spent and who's being supported. We think that's consistent with the will of the committee. If it can't be worked out, I respect the decision of the subcommittee, but I also respect the good intentions that Mr. Vis has brought forward to have a check-in as soon as we have data. We will endeavour to do that.
I can come back to the committee when we have that. I certainly can come back to the committee and bring the minister if an hour can be made available in a very tight schedule. The real enemy here is the schedule. Our intent is to honour his request.
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, Mr. Vaughan. Thank you for retrieving a headset.
Ms. Chabot, you may go ahead.
5 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First, as the subcommittee on agenda and procedure discussed at its meeting, we should be trying to find a way to meet twice a week after the break week. That is essential given the workload.
Second, on the motion to have an extra hour with the ministers, could someone please remind me, for my own benefit, what explicitly was sought.
Last, I didn't want to bring this up, but who is formally representing the NDP today, for the purposes of the committee's proceedings? Is it Ms. Gazan or Ms. Kwan?
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Okay.
On your second point, I believe Ms. Kwan replaced Ms. Gazan. Now that Ms. Kwan has left, the person representing the New Democrats is Ms. Gazan.
Is that correct, Mr. Clerk?
5 p.m.
The Clerk
Yes, that's correct.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
First, just as a point of clarification, I believe my motion came before the EI study. Second, to MP Gazan's point, in terms of the data available, it's in the estimates. In supplementary estimates (B), there is $253 million, and the government announced $500 million. That's already three-quarters of the allocated $1 billion. The data is there. Now is the time to provide scrutiny.
I want to thank MP Vaughan for agreeing to have, at least from the Liberal bench, a one-hour update from officials on the progress related to this important project if we go to two meetings a week before the Christmas break. I'm asking for one hour. I think it's very reasonable. I also support the work we're doing on indigenous housing as well. I believe strongly in this program and I want to see that hour so we can set a good foundation going into the new year.
Thank you so much.
5 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank my colleague, MP Vis, for his comments. I am in support of the committee. I just want to clarify the intent behind the decisions that were made in the subcommittee. I am open and I support one hour.