Evidence of meeting #112 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was service.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madame Zarrillo.
Thank you, Minister Beech, for appearing today. With that, we can dismiss you. Thank you, Minister and officials.
I will ask the committee for a little direction. Earlier I discussed with the committee that, if we are efficient, we may be able to begin the housing study a little earlier. With that, I need some decision from the committee. On May 22, during the first hour, we can begin the housing study. The committee did approve the invitation for three on the 22nd—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
—I'm sorry—on Thursday, the 27th, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the RBC assistant chief economist, the Governor of the Bank of Canada and the federal housing advocate. If the committee agrees, we can spend the first hour beginning housing, and with the grouping, invite the RBC assistant chief economist and the Governor of the Bank of Canada. If that is agreeable, then I will need to get direction from the committee on a timeline for witnesses as well as briefings for the committee.
Do I see a desire from the committee to begin housing? In the second hour, we'll do version one of the intergenerational study on the 27th. It's the first meeting when we come back after the constituency week. It would give the analysts some time to prepare, but it's one option for getting the housing study under way a bit earlier.
Go ahead, Mr. Fragiskatos.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Are we set on just those witnesses to start with, so for example, if we want that first meeting to include three witnesses and not just two...?
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
That's okay. For the 27th, our side might have suggestions. I know you said the governor and the individual from—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
The chief economist at RBC was the direction the committee gave back, so that's the only one we're authorized to deal with at this time.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
I'm open to hearing from three that day, but our side can suggest, and if it's not set, then I....
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I agree, but the dates don't match, with all due respect to the interpreters.
Are you talking about Monday, May 27, or Thursday, May 23? Monday, May 20, we're not sitting.
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
May 23 is a Thursday, and May 27 is a Monday.
What day are we talking about, Mr. Chair?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
It's Monday. That's my mistake.
I'm getting consensus. Nobody objects to scheduling the first hour to begin the housing study. We'll extend an invitation to the chief economist of RBC and the Governor of the Bank of Canada.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Is there room to have one other witness?
It's a serious study of a very serious issue. I think we should hear from as many as possible, if possible.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
We did not establish the extended witness list, Mr. Fragiskatos. The only ones we've agreed to are the ones I referenced.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Can we have an opportunity to submit suggestions in the meantime?
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
As I understand it, so far there are only two names of witnesses on the notice to appear. We're going to invite those two witnesses to appear; that said, I wouldn't agree to three in the same hour, because that's too many.
Liberal
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
You're efficient, Mr. Chair, but in this case it's too much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
I agree.
Before we leave, Mr. Fragiskatos, I don't get the sense that we want to begin.
If the committee could give me direction on the witness....
We'll start the first hour, and we'll extend an invitation to the RBC's assistant chief economist and the Governor of the Bank of Canada. I will advise how they respond.
Is there agreement? Good.
Is it the will of the committee to adjourn?