Evidence of meeting #33 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 work.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I have something else to raise about the agenda, and would like you to tell us during the meeting what the plans are.
We've learned that 24 hours of work has been set aside for the HUMA committee next week, during the parliamentary recess.
Could you tell us exactly what's going to happen next week?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
I'll be glad to explain it.
Colleagues, the budget implementation act is before the finance committee. The finance committee has had discussions around referring sections of the budget implementation act to this committee with a return date of May 21. As a precaution, I have asked for time to be reserved for committee meetings during the break week.
I have not yet brought this to the committee, and I am not bringing it to the committee now, because the referral from the finance committee has not yet happened. If sections of the budget implementation act are referred to us, it will be up to the committee to decide whether they want to study the budget implementation act and report it back to the finance committee within the deadline they have prescribed.
In fact, Ms. Chabot, we've set aside enough time for this requirement, but we don't have to come to a decision now, because it has not yet been referred to the committee. It's expected, but not yet official.
Perhaps we could move to the news release that has been prepared by the Library of Parliament analysts and provided to you. This is a news release announcing that we are going ahead with the seniors study and proposing that written briefs be no longer than five pages, approximately 2,000 words, to be submitted electronically before June 7.
Is there any discussion or are there any comments with respect to the news release? If there aren't, I would be happy to entertain a motion that we give it the go-ahead and post it on the website.
Is there any discussion on the news release?
Do we have consensus to publish the news release as it has been drafted?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, colleagues.
Finally, we will go back to the centennial flame. If agreeable, we can adopt a motion for the drafting and publication of the news release inviting persons with a disability to submit an application for consideration for the 2021 centennial flame research award.
If it's the will of the committee, we could issue a press release calling for applications. If you were so inclined, the motion would read as follows:
That the amount for the 2021 Centennial Flame Research Award be set at $5,500, that the deadline for submitting an application be set at—
—a date you would determine—
—that a news release be published on the Committee's Web site.
Is there any discussion on the advisability of such a news release? Are we comfortable with going ahead and calling for applications for this year's award?
(Motion agreed to)
Very well, then.
In terms of an end date, is a month reasonable? Today is the 11th, so how about we say June 11?
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Chair, just to clarify, would the deadline for applicants to submit be a month from today?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
That's right. I am throwing that out there. I am open to more informed suggestions, for sure.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I think a couple more weeks, maybe six weeks, would be good. By the time we share with our constituents and for a person to write the application, that just takes a little time. I would suggest extending that by just a couple more weeks. I'm thinking back on how much work it took to fill out scholarship applications. I'd like to give people a bit more time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Sure. My only concern is if the committee is going to consider them that we would be able to get them in before we rise. If it's too tight all the way around, then we could look at it as a project for after the summer.
I do take your point that there would be a fair bit of work involved in it.
Ms. Young, go ahead, please.
Liberal
Kate Young Liberal London West, ON
I agree with Ms. Dancho. I think we need to give people more time. I would think six weeks would probably be what people would require, but I understand your concerns.
I'm looking at the calendar, and I think that could maybe be our last order of business.
Liberal
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
What I was going to say was almost identical to what Ms. Young said, so I also agree with Ms. Dancho that we probably need a little more time, but I understand your concerns as well.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I should have lowered my hand. I think time is more important than our work schedule. So we need to have more time.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
How long is the application? I'm wondering because a lot of students could probably use some research funds right now, with the lack of jobs. It would be nice. It could be a summer project for a student. I'm just hoping we can get it out before summer.
What's involved in the application process? Is it a long application?
The Clerk
I have a quick response on that question.
They must submit a letter or presentation to describe who they are, their disability and their work experience. They also must submit a letter of support for the application from a person of their choice in terms of the research and proof of Canadian citizenship.
That is all submitted to the committee.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Just to clarify, it's a letter of intent of who they would like to research, a little bit about who they are and their disability. It's like submitting a resumé.
Liberal
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Yes, it's very straightforward. It's not cumbersome at all, Leah.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I would think a month would be adequate. It could result in a student having research income over the summer.