Human Resources Committee on March 11th, 2021

Evidence of meeting #21 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 changes.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2020-21: Vote 1c under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Votes 1c, 5c, 10c and 15c under Department of Employment and Social Development
Main Estimates 2021-22: Vote 1 under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Votes 1 and 5 under Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Vote 1 under Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Employment and Social Development
Bill C-24

MPs speaking

Sean Casey
Carla Qualtrough
Raquel Dancho
Kate Young
Louise Chabot
Daniel Blaikie
Adam Vaughan
Anthony Housefather
Rosemarie Falk
Brad Vis
Irek Kusmierczyk

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Danielle Widmer
Andrew Brown  Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Dispute Resolution and International Affairs, Department of Employment and Social Development
Graham Flack  Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development, Department of Employment and Social Development
Cliff C. Groen  Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada, Department of Employment and Social Development
Émilie Thivierge  Legislative Clerk

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON

I would suggest that we have two meetings, effectively.

For the 23rd, we will find out in short order which ministers, if they are available, will be available, and we have made a commitment to get that done. If we don't get ministers, the EI study will I assume take up those spots. However, we recognize the opposition's right to have the ministers appear on supplementaries and we'll do what we can to effectively recognize that.

The 25th housing report drafting date may also be affected by this, but I think we made a solid commitment there.

What I would propose as the way forward, which I hope will be found acceptable, is that the chair get back to us based on the ministers' responses to the invitations, which have been sent as requested by the opposition, and between now and the 23rd, update members as to what is likely to happen, with the commitment that the EI study will move forward if we don't get ministers—although it seems likely we will. I also suggest we stick to the 25th for the drafting instructions to get that work off our desks once and for all and move on, and to make sure we have a clear runway to finish the EI study and honour our commitment to Madame Chabot.

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Mr. Vaughan.

Ms. Dancho.

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

I just have a question and a comment, Mr. Chair.

My understanding is that we can still have ministers come for supplementary estimates even if we've had to pass them because of deadline and committee constraints. Is that correct?

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

I think you're right. That's called a subject matter study or something of the sort. They would be deemed to have been adopted, but it's still fair game to ask some questions about them.

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

I would prefer not, but I understand that we're under scheduling constraints.

I would also ask that the chair just consider, perhaps, evening meetings. I know that I've mentioned this before, but Conservatives are always happy to add another meeting during break week or another one in the evening throughout the week. I'd ask the chair to consider doing that because of the time constraints that we're under.

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

The biggest challenge with that, of course, is the competition for available meeting rooms and resources within the House, but thank you for indicating your willingness to put in the extra time. Where we can find it, we'll take advantage of it. Thank you.

Mr. Vaughan.

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON

No, that was it. I should have taken my hand down.

5:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any further business to come before the committee? Very well.

Do we have consensus to adjourn? I believe we do.

Well done, everyone. Thank you very much for being able to get that through and to have it reported back to the House.

Have a good evening. We'll see you at the votes.