Human Resources Committee on Feb. 26th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Okay.

Mr. Collins has made a subamendment that the committee invite the referenced six ministers to appear for one hour each, constituting three two-hour meetings.

Mr. Collins, did I paraphrase you correctly?

[Chad Collins, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Yes, I think you did.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Just so everybody's on the same page, can we have that read out so there's no confusion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Mr. Collins, you would have to confirm that your amendment would remove the reference to “in two panels of three”.

[Chad Collins, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Yes, I don't think the math works if it's one hour each.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

No, not really.

Just so we're clear—and you correct me if I'm wrong—Mr. Collins' amendment would bind the committee to have three two-hour meetings inviting the six ministers, as referenced, for one hour each in those meetings.

We have to capture that. I want to get the language before I go to Mrs. Gray. I'll read it back into the record. Each minister would be solo for one hour.

Just a moment, madam.

I'm going to ask the clerk to read her understanding of Mr. Collins' subamendment.

[The Clerk]

I'll read the entire motion, from my understanding:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages; the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities; the Minister of Labour and Seniors; the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; and the Minister of Citizens' Services, to appear for no fewer than three panels of two hours each, for one hour each, to consider the supplementary estimates (C) for the fiscal year 2023-24 and the main estimates for the fiscal year 2024-25.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Are you confirming, Mr. Collins?

Mr. Collins, is that clearly articulated?

[Chad Collins, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Each minister is here for an hour over three meetings.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Okay.

Now the discussion is on the subamendment by Mr. Collins, which would request six ministers to appear for one hour each over three meetings of two hours.

Mrs. Gray.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just wanted to clarify that it was each separately—we had that in the original motion—and that's how it reads. It's the assertion that each minister would be separate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Okay. It should be “to appear separately”.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

I think that's what Mr. Collins intended in what he was saying. I just wanted to clarify that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

It was removed in Mr. Fragiskatos's amendment.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

If you're asking me what I think, Chair, yes, I think we've reached a compromise here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Okay.

Are we clear that it would be three two-hour meetings, with six ministers appearing separately for one hour each over those three meetings.

[Some hon. members]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Okay, thank you.

Madam Zarrillo, I do not wish to exclude you. You're not in the room. Are you following the discussion?

I'm seeing nodding heads.

We will have a recorded vote on the subamendment of Mr. Collins.

(Subamendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

(Amendment as amended agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

With a little work, Mrs. Gray, you got your motion carried. Thank you.

Mr. Long, before we go, we have one procedural item left on the bill.

Did you want the floor?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Yes. Thank you, Chair.

I'd like to table a motion previously put on notice. Everyone should have received a copy. I can read it for you, if you'll allow me, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Please read it for the record.

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Thank you.

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108.... I'll just hold on, Chair. It seems like the members opposite don't have it. It was put on notice.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

It was circulated. Go ahead.

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

I'll start again:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the compensation disparities between unionized and non-unionized workers in Canada; the study will examine the reasons that unionized workers receive more powerful paycheques; the impact of unionization on benefits and pensions; and the reasons behind such disparities; that the committee invite to testify, included but not limited to, representatives from Statistics Canada, and subject matter experts; that the committee hold a minimum of two meetings; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Chair, I will just say—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Before we get to that, the motion is in order.

Proceed, Mr. Long.

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Thank you.

I just wanted to give you a bit of context.

When I grew up, my father worked at a lumber mill in Saint John. My mom didn't work.