Evidence of meeting #138 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 workers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Mr. Cormier.
Ms. Chabot, you have the last round of questions. You have one minute.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Laliberté, I'll give you the remaining minute. I think there are a number of solutions to support our economic regions in terms of the economy, the seasonal industry and the workers in that industry.
Since this study will be reported to the House, if there were any changes to be made to support workers and prevent them from experiencing a black hole, or at least reduce it, what would they be?
If you don't have time to answer verbally, we would very much like to receive a short written reply.
Commissioner for Workers, As an Individual
Ms. Chabot, there will be a written answer, and I'll give you a very short summary.
We would like to see 420 hours worked for all workers, seasonal or not. We would also like to see an existing pilot project extended by up to 15 weeks in a larger number of regions with similar profiles. That would already be good.
To round out that information, I'd add that we've already had these 420 hours of eligibility for everyone and the best 14 weeks for one year, between 2021 and 2022.
How much did it cost? It cost $610 million. That's real money, but all things considered, it's a reform that wouldn't bring the program down and would be fair to all Canadian workers, seasonal or not.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
This is just a technical issue I wanted to bring up. I know we're at the end of the meeting.
At the beginning of this meeting, Ms. Vien was giving her statement and answering questions. I've noticed quite often that the camera is not on when the first person is questioning. She spoke for about two minutes, and it was on the chair the entire time. I've noticed this happening quite frequently. I just wanted to bring it up for the technical team, especially the camera people, that the first lines of questions are always from one of four people on this side, so it's not like it's a surprise who might be asking questions.
I wanted to bring that forward because it was overt today; it was for almost two minutes.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Mrs. Gray, for raising that. I could not see that from here, but I think that's a good point. I'll ask the clerk to make sure it's rectified.
Committee members, next Thursday we will meet again. We have two ministers appearing next Thursday.
Thank you, witnesses, for appearing today.
With that, is it the will of the committee to adjourn?
