She is correct that this is an ongoing issue. However, we've seen with some of these recent reports that have come out just how devastating it is. Even though it is an issue in Canada, it's obviously getting worse, and a number of these reports are coming out saying that. I just wanted to make that point.

I just want to clarify, Mr. Fragiskatos. Does it say, “no less than four”? Was that the amendment, or was it only four?

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON

Yes, it's four meetings. We're not suggesting three to four or two to four. We're saying four meetings.

12:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

Okay, I just wanted to clarify. I wasn't sure if it was “no fewer than four” or if it was a hard—

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON

It would be a hard four meetings.

12:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

It would be a hard four meetings. Okay. I thank you for that clarification.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Next we have Mr. Fragiskatos on the amendment.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON

Chair, I will formally move the amendment again to repeat that we would strike “12” and replace it with “four” meetings and remove any note there about prioritization.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Is there any discussion on Mr. Fragiskatos' amendment? If there is none, I will put it to a vote.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Unanimity—that's wonderful.

Ms. Zarrillo, did you have your hand up?

12:40 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

I did. I have an amendment to the motion that I would like to propose.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Is that an amendment to this motion, Ms. Zarrillo?

12:40 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

It is an amendment to Mrs. Gray's motion, yes.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Okay. The committee has adopted the amendment to Mrs. Gray's motion, so your amendment would be to the motion as amended.

12:40 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Yes.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Go ahead.

12:40 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask that all parties get an equal number of witnesses for that poverty reduction study, so I would move a motion to that effect.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you.

We have an amendment from Ms. Zarrillo. I'm not seeing any discussion on it, so I will ask the clerk for a recorded vote on the amendment of Ms. Zarrillo. You all know the amendment.

(Amendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

The motion has been adopted. I will return to the agenda of the committee that is currently under way.

That concludes your time, Mrs. Gray.

We will now move to Mr. Collins for five minutes.

Mr. Collins, go ahead.

12:45 p.m.

Liberal

Chad Collins Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Minister, welcome back to the committee.

I'm going to take us back to people with disabilities. It's probably as hard for you to listen to some of the questions from the other side of the table as it is for me. What goes through my mind, when I hear the questions.... It's almost politically fraudulent in terms of the narrative that's created. As you know, the Conservatives voted against the Canada disability benefit, the pharmacare initiatives, which will help seniors and people with disabilities—

12:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

12:45 p.m.

Liberal