Human Resources Committee on Dec. 10th, 2024

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

The minister has explicitly asked to answer the question, but she is not being allowed to—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

I have given her multiple opportunities and she hasn't, to two different questions.

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

Chair, she is saying that she would like to answer it right now.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

First, on the point of order specifically as it relates to one member interrupting another member, it is the member's time. The member's time is for questioning the witness. The witness can choose to provide what information is available or can indicate that they will submit it in writing at a later time, but it is the member's time. I am lenient on both sides.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

I have a point of order. It's my understanding that when a question is asked, the same amount of time that the question took should be afforded to the witness.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

No. That's not—

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

That's been the general practice, has it not, Mr. Chair?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

No. That's not how it works in committee.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

You can ask a question, not even wait for the answer and then just ask the question over and over again...?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Mr. Coteau—

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

It doesn't make sense.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Can I respond to that point of order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

No.

Mr. Coteau, that is debate. I am going to conduct the meeting as per the rules of the House of Commons.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

The member has the floor for her time.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

I know that just for—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Just be careful. I would expect some courtesy to the witness, but it is your time.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Absolutely.

I just want to point out, Chair, that obviously I want an answer from the department and the minister, but clearly they're playing games and wasting time. I've asked the same question more than once, and I'm not getting....

Please just table the answers for the committee. That would be wonderful.

In her first report, the chief accessibility officer recommended that accessibility training be mandatory. She also told this committee that it would be hard to achieve a barrier-free Canada without doing so. Do you agree with her recommendation, yes or no?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

I work extremely closely with our incredible chief accessibility officer—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Would you agree with her recommendation?

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

That's a perfect example, Mr. Chair.

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

I work really closely with her, and I—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

I asked for a yes or no. This is where this is frustrating.

Have you responded to her recommendation? What actions have you taken to ensure that accessibility training is mandated for federally regulated workplaces?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Training is an extremely important tool. That's something that we have been working alongside—